[Publib] Acceptable loss ratio

[Deb Fliegel]

To the collective brain,

I have been following the discussion about what types of materials go missing in other libraries with great interest.  Both those that are actually checked out as well as those that are stolen.   We have a reference collection of materials on witchcraft that is kept behind the reference desk.

We are struggling to develop some benchmarks for an acceptable loss rate particularly for items that show up as missing in inventory.  Those items that have been checked out to a patron and never returned are a slightly different beast.  Both are important; but there is at least some hope of return or payment for items linked to patrons.  Any collected funds for lost items are returned to our materials budget.

The ability to determine this will have implications for budget decisions on methods and costs of security (tattletape vs. RFID vs. no security (more funds for collection development)).  It will also influence decisions for self check machines.  As we are in the midst of a major building renovation with a portion of our collection in storage, this is a good time for us to think about this.  Gretchen Freeman was kind enough to share some of her ideas.

We just completed an inventory of most collections.  Our early results indicate that less than 0.8% overall shows as missing in inventory.  Our ratio of "lost" (checked out and not returned) items is much higher, particularly for the DVD collection.

How are other libraries handling this?  Do you have an acknowledged acceptable loss ratio or at least a sense of what that might be?  If you do, how is this influencing fund allocation choices?  Or is this one of these issues that isn't addressed directly?  I know as good stewards of community resources that any loss on some levels is unacceptable....

Thanks for any feedback.

Deb

Deborah A. Fliegel
dfliegel at dubuque.lib.ia.us<mailto:dfliegel at dubuque.lib.ia.us>
Manager of Technical Services
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
360 West 11th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-589-4243
563-589-4217 (fax)

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