Thursday, December 12, 2013

Missing media items – Round Two

Once again in so many months, we are receiving criticism from other libraries regarding items leaving this library with missing parts, i.e. missing audiobook CDs, CDs, and DVDs. Libraries are actually telling patrons that we at DPL should have caught the error, and they are correct.

There is no reason for us to suffer this black mark when the solution is a simple one: media items must not leave this library (or go back onto our own shelves) without being opened, checked, and counted. It is far easier to retrieve missing pieces when the items have just been returned as to deal with issues later. It also eliminates the confusion of possible theft if the items make it back onto the shelves and then are found empty. If you believe that you are too busy at any given moment with a line of patrons, please put the items aside and check them once the line has dispersed. Along with this procedure for media items, please continue to double check items to be re-shelved on the cart at the Circulation Desk, which may catch materials belonging to other libraries.

If the problem of missing parts continues, the check-in process will have to change accordingly, meaning more work for everyone. From this point on, anyone who does not follow the instituted protocol may face disciplinary action. This blog posting will also be printed out and posted at the Circulation Desk for everyone to initial.

Thank you in advance for everyone's help with this matter.
Cindy

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