The Circulation department will designate a "claims returned" status on the item for a limited period of time (4 weeks). During this time period, Circulation staff and the patron share the responsibility of locating a library item. Although overdue notices will no longer be sent, the item remains checked out to the patron. Circulation will search the library's collection at regular intervals. The patron, in turn, is expected to thoroughly search their room, home, office, etc. for the item. The Library maintains a systematic charging and discharging procedure. Incoming items are discharged once at the circulation desk and then a second time before they are re-shelved. This double-discharging procedure significantly reduces error on the library's part. If the "claims returned" item is not located at the end of the four-week search period then the item will revert to its original "loaned" status, and the patron assumes responsibility for replacing the item. The patron will be notified of the status at the end of the
four-week search period. The patron then assumes responsibility for replacing the item. *
