InfoLab - Lost and Found

When an item is turned in to the Lost and Found

When we find an item or someone turns in an item, log the item here: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1865VloCSz2ByiU0Nm0yI01-TuEefoSC3reATBJ9nUIM/edit

• Please include as much information as we can

If the item has any identifying information, contact the owner if possible

1. If necessary, look up the email at https://www.wisc.edu/directories/.
2. Send the patron a message indicating that we believe we found an item that belongs to them, and that they can pick it up from the Service Desk during our hours of operation

If the item is high-value (see list of high-value items below) or contains sensitive information, contact your supervisor.

When a patron comes looking for an item

Ask the patron to describe the item, then check to see if the item is in the cabinet. How to proceed depends on whether or not the item is considered high-value:

• High-value items:
  • If the item is not in the Lost & Found, ask the patron if they'd like us to take down the information so we can look out for the item and send them an email.
  • If the item is in the Lost & Found, and if we believe we know who the owner is, ask the patron for photo ID to verify their identity.
  • If the item is in the Lost & Found, but we don't know who the owner is, hand it over to the patron.
• Other items:
  • If the item is not in the Lost & Found, ask the patron if they'd like us to take down the information so we can look out for the item.
  • If the item is in the Lost & Found, hand it over to the patron.

High-value items

The following items are all considered high-value:

• Wallets or wallet contents, such as IDs or credit cards
• Electronic devices, including phones and laptops
• Keys
• Any other items we believe to be worth more than approx. $100

These items should be moved given to Nikson Yang or Lisa Burley for proper handling. This should happen by the end of the day they are turned in.