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Milner Library

Claims Returned Guidelines

If a Milner Library item is still charged to a patron but the patron believes the item has been returned, the patron may file a claim using the form below. Doing so initiates a Claims Returned search.

Milner Library staff will search for the item three times over a period of three weeks. If the item is found, the item will be discharged from the patron's account and a note will be added to the patron's Voyager record. If the item is not found, the patron will receive an e-mail from the library notifying them of the outcome of the search. During a Claims Returned search period, the items in question must remain on the patron’s account. The patron will continue to receive automatic overdue notices.

File a claim if an item you believe you returned is still charged to your account and library staff will try to locate it.

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Before submitting the claim, patrons should:

  1. Search for the item at home, the office, car, or anywhere else the item might be
  2. Check the library stacks, if possible

To help prevent Claims Returned situations in the future, patrons may:

  1. Request a receipt from a library staff person when returning items to the Service Desk (prior to discharging the items)
  2. Return items personally to the Service Desk, rather than asking another person to return them or place them in the book drop

If the item is not found, the patron is responsible for paying the replacement cost of the item (typically $50) or purchasing a new copy for the library. The patron is also responsible for paying a $10 processing fee per item.

Recalls

Occasionally, Milner Library will recall an item that is checked out to a patron. This occurs only when the item has been requested by a faculty member to be placed on Course Reserve for a class, and all copies are currently checked out.

If the Library recalls an item that you have checked out, you will receive a "recall notice." This notice informs you that the loan period for the item has been shortened and that the material must be returned by a certain date. This date is 7 days from the date the item was recalled.

Failure to return an item by the recall due date will result in a $5.00/day (maximum $50.00/item) fine. This fine applies to all borrowers, even those—such as faculty—who are not normally charged fees.

Claim form

Claims Returned Form

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