Library proposes reinstating 'claims returned' rule and system tracking after ILS update

The Board of Trustees reviewed a proposed revision to the library’s circulation policy to reinstate a ‘claims returned/claims never had’ process now supported by the library’s integrated library system, staff said.

Janie, the director, told the board that a claims-returned policy existed previously but the library removed it after an ILS software update disabled tracking. She said the library’s current ILS (Koha) now supports claims-returned tracking and staff propose restoring the policy language from 2019 with clarifying edits. The draft policy would limit borrowers to three lifetime claims returned; Janie explained that if an item later turns up and is checked in, the system will reverse the claims-returned entry on the patron’s account.

Board members asked for clearer paragraph ordering and minor wording edits (for example, defining a claims-returned occurrence before limiting count). Trustees discussed whether the three-claim lifetime limit should include a time limit; the director noted staff will return with finalized redlines. The board did not adopt the policy at the meeting; trustees said they will review redlined wording and vote on a recommendation that will be forwarded to City Council for final approval (the council is the body that must approve changes to library policy under existing procedures).