damaged books

["Kristen Kern" <kern@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am looking for ideas on how to deal with damaged books when they 
are returned to circulation (puppy chewed, damp, etc.).  At the 
present time, circulation usually sends the book to the 
preparations department for an assessment of the damage in order to 
correctly charge the patron - either the cost of the book, if it can 
be determined, or the estimated cost of repairs.  This is a 
cumbersome process since it can take several days for the repair 
assessment to get back to circulation.  In the meantime the patron is 
waiting to hear his/her fate.  How do other libraries handle this 
issue?  I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks,

Kristen
Kristen Kern
Preservation/Catalog Librarian
Portland State University Library
P O Box 1151
Portland, OR  97207
kern@.lib.pdx.edu
fax: 503-725-5799
phone: 503-725-5218