[Michlib-l] Summary for Unclaimed Personal Items

[Lynn Skazalski]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my query regarding unclaimed
personal items.  Summary of responses on how libraries handle these items:

Keeping track of items:

   - Attach a post-it with date found
   - Keep a log of items with description and date found
   - Collect items in a lost-and-found container
   - Post the items on the library's Facebook page

Retention of items: Libraries retain items anywhere from a week to a year

How libraries dispose of items by type of item:

   - Drivers licenses: mail to owner, give to police department, shred
   - Other forms of identification: call owner if phone number known, mail
   to owner or issuing agency (e.g., school), shred
   - Phones: call the carrier of a cell phone company and give the IEM # to
   see if they can identify the owner, donate, send to the police department
   - Flashdrives: all responding libraries erase files then either throw
   away or retain for use by library staff or IT department
   - Books owned by schools: return to schools
   - Clothing and similar items: all responding libraries donate to a
   charitable organization, some libraries wash before donating.

​Thanks again!​

-- 
Lynn Bryer Skazalski
Supervising Librarian, MILS, MS
Caroline Kennedy Library
24590 George Street
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
lskazalski at ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us
313-791-3824
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