Announcement by Ann Snowman, head of Access Services

Beginning 08/04/2015, the $25 processing fee will no longer be assessed for materials marked lost through the automated lost billing process (i.e. Assumed Lost report). The standard lost fee of $125 will remain.

Which materials are affected by this?
Only those materials that are marked lost through the automated lost billing process. Staff should continue to assess the $25 processing fee for any materials that are marked lost using the Mark Item Lost wizard, such as recalled materials, overdue course reserves, videos or any other materials that accrue hourly or daily fees or that do not have a default lost price.

Why was this change made?
The Fee Review Committee recommended this change last spring to simplify bills and bill processing. Currently, most $25 fees assessed through the automated billing process are cancelled by library staff when materials are returned. Eliminating this fee eliminates this manual process.

This change also better targets the $25 processing fee toward those materials that genuinely require manual staff processing, such as materials accruing overdue fees or anything not marked lost through the Assumed Lost report.

Are there any other changes to procedure?
Because we’re eliminating the $25 processing fee from Workflows defaults, it will no longer appear in the Processing fee field when marking materials lost using the Mark Item Lost wizard. Staff will need to key $25 into the processing fee field when marking materials lost manually.

If you have any other questions about this change, please use the Ask the SirsiDynix Circulation-Reserves Expert Team form at:
https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/secure/forms/access_forms/circ_reserves_expert_team.html