WHY USE A MATERIAL RECOVERY SERVICE?

THE FACTS:

• Most libraries have a very low loss rate relative to materials checked out but not returned when calculated as a percentage of circulation. However, the actual dollar amount of materials not returned is usually a large number when looked at by itself.

• Libraries would rather be able to use their budget dollars to buy the latest and most popular materials available to add to circulation and meet patrons' desires rather than use those same dollars to purchase replacement materials not returned.

• Materials not returned are many times those most demanded by patrons. When the materials are not available it significantly affects patron satisfaction. Patrons who have been waiting for the opportunity to check out an item often ask, what is being done to cause the patron to return the item.

• The public is much more knowledgeable than in the past. Most people understand that if materials are not returned, they as tax payers will end up paying for them. Libraries are finding that the vast majority of patrons expect library boards and management to take action to recover materials as part of their financial responsibility.

• In the past, libraries have many times not used a third party to help recover past due materials because the options were not very good. Traditional collection agencies often use scare tactics and strong-armed approaches which alienate patrons. Also, they charge 25 to 50 percent contingency fees which is a lot of money when you consider that most of what is recovered is materials not cash. The other main option available is letter writing services. This type of service helped but still many patrons never respond and nothing is done about those with incorrect addresses. Also, the letters are usually not geared for libraries and are very impersonal. The other main challenge with both of the above alternatives is that library staff often had to go through a manual paperwork process to submit accounts and report returns/payments which takes a lot of library staff time.

• Today there is a completely new solution available for libraries. Unique Management has developed a library material recovery service and is providing that service to libraries across the United States. Unique Management works only with libraries and everything about their service is designed with the special needs of libraries in mind. There is now available to your library a material recovery service which does maintain patron goodwill.

• Unique Management's objective in working with libraries is to recover materials and maintain patron goodwill in the process. A professional and gentle nudge approach is utilized which is proven and successful in libraries across the country. Excellent references are available upon request.

• Unique Management is so confident about our ability to maintain patron goodwill, we offer libraries the opportunity to try our service for 90 days with no obligation. If for any reason, the library is not completely satisfied with our service, Unique Management will not charge your library a cent.

• Unique Management offers a guarantee to libraries to keep our service budget neutral. In most cases, if a $10.00 fee is added to the patron balance and we are given the accounts within 60 days past due, Unique Management guarantees to recover enough cash to pay our fees. In other words, materials will be returned to circulation for free.

• Unique Management has strategic alliances with epixtech, DRA, CARL and Geac. Alliances are being pursued with other library software vendors as well. The purpose of the alliances is to use technology to make it easy for libraries to submit data and report updates in an automated way to minimize library staff time required. Our technical staff can work with your library to set up a simple and easy process for transferring data with only minimal library staff time required.

• Unique Management offers a complete service which is tailor designed for the library. Most patrons will respond to a gentle nudge with a letter or phone call. An extensive skip tracing process is utilized to find patrons who have moved. New addresses are provided to the library.

  SUMMARY: With Unique Management's library material recovery service, your library can recover materials worth thousands of dollars for free while maintaining patron goodwill with very little time required from library staff. This is a new alternative for dealing with the past due material problem that should be considered by library management and boards.