Hilton M. Briggs Library Policies

SUBJECT: Damaged Materials

NUMBER: 10.4

1. Purpose

To establish procedures following the witness or receipt of damaged materials.

2. Policy

H. M. Briggs Library will follow state laws and university policies regarding vandalism and injury to property after the witness or receipt of damaged materials.

Patrons are responsible for any overdue, lost, stolen, or damaged library materials while the items are checked out to them and are subject to fines and fees detailed in the Library Charges Document.

3. Procedures

• For unintentionally damaged materials:
  • Library staff member(s) will determine the repair or replacement cost.
  • Access Services staff will add charges to the patron record.
• For willfully damaged or vandalized materials:
  • The library staff member will:
    • Ask the person responsible for the damage for their SDSU ID card or government-issued ID card immediately. Make a note of the person's name and ID number. Take the damaged item.
    • Ask the person to explain the damage.
    • Advise the person that they will hear soon from the Access Services Librarian.
    • Return the ID card to the person.
    • Give the person a copy of the state law dealing with vandalism and a copy of this policy from the Library Services Desk.
  • The Access Services Librarian will:
    • Enter a note of this incident into the patron's library record or note on the incident report if the person has no library record.
    • Note on the incident report whether this is a first or second offense.
      • First Offense:
        • Impose charges according to the Library Charges Document.
        • Inform the Univerisity Police Department if deemed necessary.
      • Second Offense:
        • Inform the University Police Department.
    • Forward the report to the Dean of the Library.

4. Related Documents

• SDSU Student Code
• South Dakota Codified Laws, 22-34, "Intentional damage to property"
• Library Charges Document
• Invoicing, Cash Receipts and Payment Processing policy (contact library staff to access this policy)

5. Responsibility

The Access Services Librarian or designee is responsible for implementation, enforcement, and ad hoc review of this policy and annual review of procedures. The Policy and Procedures Committee is responsible for review of this document every four years. The Dean of the Library is responsible for review and approval of this policy and associated revisions.

SOURCE:

Reviewed by: Library Faculty September 8, 2022

Approved by: Dean of the Library September 8, 2022

Origination date: June 17, 2013

Revision dates: June 17, 2013; January 23, 2018, September 8, 2022