I have decided to review the process at my current school and want to examine how other schools may manage it.
Fifty Responses have been received so far:
45 % bill students the replacement fee as listed in the library management system.
35 % are billed through school fees and/or the school accounts department.
The remaining 20 % may ask students to provide a replacement, use a mix of provided options or the library would write off the costs.
What interested me (I have not come across it personally in schools that I have worked for) was that around 75% of respondents charge a processing fee on top of the lost item. Written responses tend to indicate a cost of $5.00. One has indicated 10% of the cost of the item.
I can understand why as well. Consider:
- The time spent by library staff ordering and cataloging the item.
- Delivery costs associated with Book Orders especially if it is for one book.
- Cost of buying a replacement may be higher due to inflation and availability.
- Tight Library Budgets
But there are limitations:
- Public Schools may not be allowed to charge additional levies/surcharges as schools are to be "not for profit" organisations.
- Socio economic factors. Can the student pay the replacement cost.
Thankyou to those who have responded. If you have not yet participated, please feel free to do so:
https://goo.gl/forms/NqdR3hM6JkgZYGF32
