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Tip of the Week
Tip for: 04.11.2005
Charge a Suspension Instead of a Fine
Summary: Many libraries, particularly school libraries, are not permitted to charge fines for overdue items. The new 5.5 version of Alexandria allows you set up policies to suspend overdue patrons from checking out additional items - rather than charging a monetary fine. The length of suspension can be set to accrue based on the length of time the item is overdue. An alert appears notifying the librarian that the student is not allowed to check items out and then is automatically cleared when the suspension period has expired.
To set Suspension Preferences:
Again, by setting a number in the suspension field you suspend students from checking items out based on the number of days their current items are overdue. Once the suspension period is over, the suspension is automatically removed. This can be used in lieu of being able to charge fines for overdue items. The suspension is calculated by taking the number of days entered in the Days of Suspension per Overdue Days field and adding them up based on the days each item currently checked out is overdue. For example if the field says one and an item is 3 days overdue, the student would be given three days of suspension from checking things out of the library.
Thank you,
The Alexandria Staff Librarians
