Claim Returns
Claim Returns are NOT to be used when a patron admits to having lost an item. When
a patron claims to have returned an item that is still checked out on his/her card,
follow these procedures:
Check the shelves. Check the holding code on TLC, also. If it doesn’t show your
branch as the owning library, that may indicate a problem. Call the branch
that is the circulating library and have personnel look for the book. If the item is
renewable, offer to renew it to give the patron more time to search for it.
If you don’t find the book and it cannot be renewed, go to “Patron Record”
Click on “Miscellaneous Info”. On the lower right side you’ll see “Items Claimed
Returned”. If the number is zero, follow directions given below.
Previous Claimed Returned on Record
If the number is one or higher, click on “Lost Items”. That will tell you what the
patron had claimed to have returned earlier. Check the shelves and etc., for
this item. If it can’t be found, offer to renew the current item out so you and the
patron can look for the item and the patron can still check out. If renewal is not
possible, the patron cannot check out until either the first or second claim return
has been found or paid for.
Directions for the first “Claim Returned”
Go to the Check In Screen
Click on “Special Status”. Select “Claim Return” (or “Claims Never Checked
Out”)
Check item in. If the item is checked in at any branch the Claim Return will be
taken off the patron’s record
NOTE: If a patron has one claim return that is over one year old and the item is still
showing up as lost (indicating it is still a claim return), call or instant message or e-mail
Betsy or Lisa.