Section 3: Lost or Missing Library Items

Claims Returned / Claims Returned Procedures in Voyager / Missing Items / Lost and Paid Items  

Sample Lost and Paid Receipt / Lost and Paid Refunds / Sample Refund Receipt / Sample Refund Log

Lost and Paid FAQs // Front Page

Shatford Library

Circulation Department

Policy & Procedure Manual

Lost Item Replacement FAQs

 **For Supervisors Only**

If you are not a supervisor and a patron is asking about paying for a lost item, please refer them to the supervisor on-duty.

Any lost item that is in a student’s record has to replaced by paying for the item’s cost + a $10.00 processing fee, unless other arrangements have been made between the student and a Supervisor, Circulation Librarian, or another Library Official such as the Director.

Most books have a price listed in the item record. There is sometimes a price in the 020 field of the MARC Bib Record. If there is no replacement price, the default price is $25.00. Please consult the Replacement Costs for Lost/Damaged Items sheet located in the money drawer at the Circulation Desk for further pricing information.

A $10.00 processing fee is added to the replacement cost of EVERY single lost item. Items with multiple parts (such as books on tape or items with 2 barcodes) are charged one processing fee, not for each individual piece. The excess processing fees for multiple-part items need to be removed manually. Forgive the multiple fees and charge only ONE.

Can an exact replica of the lost book be traded in instead of having to pay for the book? Yes, but it needs to be the EXACT book (same ISBN, publishing company, edition, format, etc.). It should be in good condition. Books with writing in them or in poor condition will not be accepted. You will still be responsible for the processing fee for the item.

What is the processing fee, and why am I being charged? When a book is lost, the Library has to go through a lengthy procedure of removing the record from the database and re-cataloging the replacement copy. This takes time and money to do. Therefore, part of the cost is charged to the person responsible for having lost the item.

Can I contest or appeal the cost for replacing the book? If there are concerns about what you are being charged, you can request to talk to the Circulation Librarian or to the Library Director. Please do not try to persuade the employees at the Circulation Desk, as they are instructed to follow procedures and are unauthorized to make arrangements with you.

Can I pay in installments? Again, any arrangements that you wish to make need to be approved by the Circulation Librarian or the Library Director. Once an arrangement has been approved, a note on your patron record will provide the Circulation Desk staff with instructions on how to proceed with any check-outs or other transactions you request.