[Publib] Extended loan periods

[Julie Bauer]

It's a lovely Friday in May, and here I am musing (but
not amusing) on a recent post about extending book
loan periods for a woman who is learning English.

What is the message if you say no?  That it's your
fault if you can't read fast enough.  That we don't
really care if you learn to read English well.  That
the library isn't really for people like you.

Sometimes our rules -- developed so we can be fair to
everyone -- make us appear unfair and unreasonable. 
Library staff should have the authority to bend the
rules when they think it is justified.  If they choose
the wrong rules or the wrong occasion, their
supervisor will probably hear about it and it will be,
let us say, a teachable moment.

Situations like this should trigger all sorts of
responses.  Help the patron find shorter, easier
reads.  Find books that aren't in high demand.  Hook
them up with a book club if they're interested --
heck, start a book club for people who are trying to
improve their reading skills.  But NOT the automatic
NO.

Like I said, it's a beautiful day, puffy clouds, one
can just imagine little bunny rabbits cavorting across
a flowery field.  Makes me feel like we should all be
a little more ... human.

My opinions (but I'm willing to share).

Julie Bauer
Collection Development Librarian
Loudoun County Public Library
Leesburg, VA