September 2000

Policy

The library will not accept replacement copies in lieu of payment for lost barcoded material.

Rationale

The replacement decision and procedure rests with the library, not the patron. We do not want to invest the time and money needed to process used material, book club editions or other inferior products which may be presented as suitable replacements.

Procedure

As with any policy, there is room for discretion. If, for example, the patron has gone to a bookstore and purchased a new copy of the lost title, and if it is something that we need and can use immediately, the copy may be accepted on the condition that it matches exactly the title lost.

If this is done, the lost barcode is exempt charged and the status changed to missing.

Under no circumstances will we accept other titles as replacements for lost items. These can be treated as donations and gratefully accepted, but the lost charges remain on the patron's record.