Lost Items Update

By Joanie Goforth

In early August FCPL began an effort to recover items that have been out for an extended time due to COVID-19. Since initially we discouraged returns, it may not have been clear when we would allow patrons to bring their materials back in. Some items in particular had gone to “lost” status which caused large charges to accrue on certain accounts. We really wanted to communicate with patrons and give them time to get the materials back to us when they were able.

This preemptive project entailed over 500 phone calls, messages, and conversations with our patrons and was shared between Sarah, Trina, Mendy and her team at Sharon Forks, Denise and Cumming staff, and me (Joanie). If we were able to make contact, we checked items back out to the patron as though that was the first day of their checkout. 

By and large, patrons were relieved to hear that they were not alone and grateful for our flexibility. Almost all of the patrons I spoke with knew exactly where their items were and expressed thanks to us for reaching out. A Sharon Forks patron had paid for her lost books, then returned them unknowingly afterward. When she told me this I offered to help her get them back, but she said she would rather donate them to the Friends Bookstore. Our patrons never cease to amaze me with their generosity!

It took about a week or so to complete the project, and I understand from Holly that what started as 1,313 lost items and 510 patron records has decreased to 703 lost items and 264 patron records as of today. That’s almost half of the lost items recovered. What started out seeming like a Herculean task ended up being something I looked forward to as an opportunity to reconnect with patrons.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped take this on! Our library team has the biggest hearts in the whole world!