NOTE:
1st iteration of the work on Reminder Fee is UXPROD-2015 (Poppy), and UXPROD-4159 (Quesnelia) funded by Hebis.
2nd iteration of this work will be planned and developed at a later phase

UPDATE: See RA SIG presentation at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xH9O5ytkd21eApuJTSiVmCrLotXekMQL3Nzk5BjpmvA/edit?usp=sharing for details (was updated after December 16, 2021, February 3, 2022 and April 25, 2022 meetings).

OVERVIEW: This is related to overdue fines, but is not the same thing. Overdue fines are calculated when an overdue item is returned to the library. The patron is billed at that point. The amount owed is often a huge shock to the patron. Reminder fees are billed to the patron immediately when the item becomes overdue. The patron is notified of what they already owe even if they return the item right now. If they wait longer to return the item, they are notified that they now owe more in reminder fees. Some libraries charge both reminder fees and overdue fines.

DETAILS: The German libraries charge reminder fees after an item becomes overdue with a scheduled process that creates a reminder notice. The process usually runs at night on a regular schedule (e.g. at 12:00:01). A notice is sent to the patron indicating that they now owe a certain amount (1 Euro, 3 Euros). Often there is a 7-day or 13-day grace period before the next reminder fee is charged, giving the patron time to return the item. The second reminder fee is usually twice as much as the first reminder fee. Again there will be a grace period. Often the third reminder fee will be the last, but there may be a 4th or 5th. Usually after the 2nd or 3rd reminder the library will use block the patron from borrowing/renewing/requesting until the item is renewed. The final reminder usually must be sent via snail mail. Some of the requirements are regulated by state law and some are preferences that must be added to Settings.

EXAMPLES: See the spreadsheet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14z4drYUGeRvYxB5BhJ6HU6kKAbHVMQqN6BLjtwIx8T0/edit#gid=1907843891&range=A1 for examples. The tabs named Example 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have German examples. Attached file Mockups.png provides a summary of all libraries in one place. Attached file Automated Reminder Fee.pdf includes an actual example of a reminder notice.

EXCEPTION: It appears that Leipzig does not do "reminder fees" but charges overdue fines immediately. See attached file Leizig_Overdue_Fines_Example.xlsx for the details. We may need to create a separate UXPROD feature for this.

WHEN NEEDED: German libraries need this feature in order to implement Circulation.