We also use Unique and so do a number of libraries here in Macomb County (Suburban Library Coop). I only have good things to say about Unique. I was recently contacted by a former patron we had sent to collections over a year ago and who had moved out-of-state. Because we use Unique their account had been reported to the credit agencies and the patron needed their credit report cleaned up because they where applying for some type of government job. I suddenly received a check for lost items and fines that I thought I would never see. Annette M. Goike Assistant Director MacDonald Public Library 36480 Main St New Baltimore, MI 48047 586-725-0273 On 02/13/2014 1:03 pm, Christine Hage wrote:
We, like many libraries, use Unique Management Systems (800) 879-5453. Unique is a collection agency that ONLY services libraries. They connect to your automation system so after you have gone through your standard notifications accounts over $25 automatically get turned over to Unique. You can pull an account at any time. We pay $9 for each account we turn over to the collection agency and we charge our delinquent customers $10 for the privilege of being turned over. Our increased return rates on long overdue materials is impressive and if we don't get the materials we get payment for those items more often than not. You can also turn over accounts where materials have been returned, but fines exceed $25. You set the levels at each step of the way and pull accounts out of collections at any point.
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014 at 12:26 PM, LTDL <lyonslib@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,
We're having a major issue at our library with unreturned materials and collecting fines from patrons. At the moment, we're just making phone calls and sending letters to patrons, which obviously aren't the most effective options at getting our books or our money back. Does anyone here recommend some relatively inexpensive solutions to this problem?
Thank you for your time,
Allison Ferguson
Director
Lyons Township District Library
(989) 855-3414 [1]
lyonslib@hotmail.com _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@lists.mcls.org http://lists.mlcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l [2]
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Christine Lind Hage, Library Director Rochester Hills Public Library 500 Olde Towne Road Rochester, MI 48307-2043 248/650-7122
Links: ------ [1] tel:%28989%29%20855-3414 [2] http://lists.mlcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
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