Our system default is set to bill videos and DVDs at $200 plus $20 late fees and $10 replacement processing. When they receive the automatic bill via email, this usually gets the patron's attention, and they return it. (Also, $200 is the magic number that blocks checkout of additional library materials).
If patron tells us that a DVD is lost, we change the bill to the actual replacement cost (Amazon price) plus $10 for processing. ($20 late fee is negotiable, depending how quickly they admit the loss). On the rare occasions an expensive title is truly lost, $200 is our max. Money doesn't come back to us directly and $210 is painful enough. If they don't come talk to us, the $230 is eventually attached to their account in the business office. Barb Bergman | Media Services & Interlibrary Loan Librarian | Minnesota State University, Mankato | (507) 389-5945 | [email protected] VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
