11 - Laserfiche WebLink

provided over 5,000 students free access to digital media, e-books, and test prep at the Pleasanton Library using the barcode on their student ID card. Students can check out digital and physical materials without accruing any daily fines. Replacement fees are charged for any lost or damaged materials. This program will expand to include all middle school students in the PUSD for fiscal year 2019/20. DISCUSSION Proposed Policy Changes The mission of the Pleasanton Public Library could be further enhanced by increasing access, circulation and recovery of the vast materials and resources it has to offer, while eliminating any barriers to usage. The PPL hopes to achieve this goal with the following policy changes: • Eliminate all daily overdue fines of $0.25 per item per day. • If an item is not returned within 30 days after its due date, the borrowing member will be assessed a replacement fee (the retail price of the item) and a $5.00 processing charge. The member's library card is also "blocked," meaning borrowing privileges are temporarily suspended. The member must then return the items or replace them in order to access library materials. If the member does not return materials within 60 days of the item being overdue, s/he will receive a collection agency notification for the total amount of items still checked out, including processing fees. This is a clarification of the existing process and policy when items are not returned. • The current renewal maximum is two times. In the proposed new model, eligible items will be automatically renewed, still up to two times. This will allow ample time—a maximum of 123 days—to return or replace an item before the account is referred to the collection agency, thus reinforcing the goal of recovering items rather than penalizing members. Items will not be automatically renewed if they are on hold for another member. Members will be notified that the item is due through phone, email or text message, depending upon account preferences. • If a billed item is returned in good condition, the replacement and processing charges, including the block on the member's account, will be removed. • Additionally, all existing daily overdue fines would be waived from member accounts. Lost and damaged materials fees would remain on accounts. LINK+, which is a collaborative system that allows PPL members to borrow materials from a wealth of other university and public libraries in the country sets their own fines and fees by committee. Daily fines on these materials will continue to be charged per our agreement for this service. Page 4 of 5