[LIBRARYDIR] QUESTION: limits on overdue books/blocking students in Alma

[Thomas, Kirsti]

Seattle sets overrideable blocks when patrons:

  *   Have more than 5 overdue items
  *   Owe more than $99 in fees (which are only replacement fees at this point; we don't charge overdue fines)

We used to have overdue blocks set lower, but it was stopping IT equipment from autorenewing when patrons had overdue books & it was stopping books, etc. from autorenewing when patrons had unreturned IT equipment, so we raised limit to be more than the total number of pieces of IT equipment someone could borrow.

If you have Alma set up to do autorenewals, you'll probably want to rethink how you use blocks. *Any* block will prevent *all* autorenewals, so you don't want to use blocks just as a way giving circ staff a message at the point of check-out.  You only want to use blocks in serious cases where you really don't want things going out.

Howard-I thought colleges weren't allowed to block student registration for overdue library items anymore after the passage of RCW 28B.10.293<https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.10.293> in 2020?

"Institutions of higher education may not withhold registration privileges as a debt collection tool, excluding the case of any debts related to nonpayment of tuition fees, room and board fees, or financial aid funds owed."

It will be ok!

Kirsti S. Thomas (Hear my first name<namedrop.io/kirstithomas> - she/her/hers)
Library Technical Services Manager & Systems Librarian
Seattle Colleges
kirsti.thomas at seattlecolleges.edu



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Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] QUESTION: limits on overdue books/blocking students in Alma

Ok, good to know that someone is blocking in Alma.

Thanks, Howard! Happy Friday,

Gerie
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Gerie,



The WCC library has no Board approved policies, so we have 'guidelines' that we create on the department level.

Once student have material out and overdue that exceed $100 in value we block ALMA and Class Registration.



-Howard



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Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] QUESTION: limits on overdue books/blocking students in Alma



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Hello:



Does anyone like their book checkout policy a lot? Maybe you like it because it's effective/your books are returned at a high rate? What is that policy?



Do you have a limit on how many overdue books a student can have on their record before they are blocked in Alma from checking out more?



Thanks!



Gerie




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