Damaged Items on the Shelves

From: Ortiz, Sarah - HPL 

Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 1:36 PM
Subject: Damaged Items on the Shelves

This is a reminder for all staff at all SBL locations

Please keep in mind how important it is to check an item’s condition if it reaches your hand. Do not leave the item for another staff member to deal with, and if you are unsure PLEASE ask; the best way to develop our judgment in these situations to ask a colleague, who will be more than happy to assist you.

Staff is asked to review an item’s condition during different points in the circulation cycle.When the item is:

Returned by customer

Received from delivery

Sorted to a cart

Shelved in its location

Staff should review (You may want to actually fan/flip through the item’s pages) the items condition for the following:

Yellowing pages

Split bindings

Dirty, Stained, Water-damaged, Written-on, Hi-lighted

Torn pages or torn cover

Plastic book covers

Loose or missing labels

Alt physical damage

Missing pieces

For more information please review Physical Weeding Guidelines

We cannot risk charging a customer for damage they did not do, nor should we devalue or own collection by having sub-par materials on our shelves.  If you are concerned about not having a subject matter available for our community please let a colleague know, and we will get items needed floated to us.  I understand that most staff are already following these guidelines and practices; THANK YOU, but please be aware that some co-workers may need your assistance with interpreting these practices.

Again thank you all for your time and expertise

Sarah Ortiz

Library Assistant Supervisor

South-Belt Libraries