Thank you to everyone who responded to my query regarding unclaimed personal items. Summary of responses on how libraries handle these items: Keeping track of items: - Attach a post-it with date found - Keep a log of items with description and date found - Collect items in a lost-and-found container - Post the items on the library's Facebook page Retention of items: Libraries retain items anywhere from a week to a year How libraries dispose of items by type of item: - Drivers licenses: mail to owner, give to police department, shred - Other forms of identification: call owner if phone number known, mail to owner or issuing agency (e.g., school), shred - Phones: call the carrier of a cell phone company and give the IEM # to see if they can identify the owner, donate, send to the police department - Flashdrives: all responding libraries erase files then either throw away or retain for use by library staff or IT department - Books owned by schools: return to schools - Clothing and similar items: all responding libraries donate to a charitable organization, some libraries wash before donating. Thanks again! -- Lynn Bryer Skazalski Supervising Librarian, MILS, MS Caroline Kennedy Library 24590 George Street Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 lskazalski@ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us 313-791-3824