The Board has approved a new patron code: Probationary Status.
Probationary Status will be used by supervisors for patrons who owe more than $10.00 and seek relief from their financial obligation. The supervisor may stipulate a change to Probationary Status as part of the agreement to waive all or a portion of the amount owed.
Probationary status protects a patron from accruing large fines by limiting the number of items he may check out. In general, the patron may check out 3 books, 3 music CDs, 3 DVDs, 1 videogame, and so forth. However, there is an overall limit of 10 items. Therefore, the patron could check out the 10 items I listed, but if he tried to check out 1 magazine, that would be an 11th item, and Polaris would warn you that he was over his limit. So there is both a material type limit and an overall limit in force.
A patron remains in probationary status for a minimum of six months. The date his probation ends is listed in the patron status record as a non-blocking note. The patron may request removal from probationary status once his six months have expired. In order to be removed, he cannot owe more than $10, and he cannot have any overdue items. If the patron doesn’t ask to be removed from probationary status, he can remain with that status indefinitely.
No other library privileges are affected by probationary status. He may still borrow electronic materials, use the computers, place holds, renew online, use self-check, and so forth. Self-check will enforce the material type and overall total limits.
If you have any questions about probationary status, please let me know.
Dreama