[mail] RE: [Publib] Need your library card?

Wed Oct 11 12:34:06 EDT 2006

I hope its ok that I lurk and post on this forum although not a public librarian...I find that we share many of the same concerns.

Dusty, I feel your pain.  I work in a theological library where things still disappear.  How can people steal from a church? Even if they aren't believers, that's got to at least be bad karma on them!

I don't understand why presenting a library card is seen as more secure than presenting other ID, particularly a state picture ID.  At our local public library, our library cards have a bar code on one side and our signature on the other.  There's nothing to prevent someone else from checking out materials on my card.  But if I use my state ID (which our library does allow), it has my name and my picture and it would seem easier to catch an individual fradulently checking things out as me.  

Have public libraries gone over to picture ids? If not, is there another concern here that I've missed?

Melissa Martinez
Librarian, Bishop O'Rourke Library 
The Institute of Catholic Thought
St. John's Catholic Newman Center 
Phone: (217) 255-6610
Email: library at sjcnc.org 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dusty Gres 
  To: publib at webjunction.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:32 AM
  Subject: [mail] RE: [Publib] Need your library card?

  NO, NO< what is sad is that the privilege of carrying and using a library card has been so abused by those who lie, yes lie, and steal, damage and vandalize public property; and the responsibility for fiscal management and reporting has become so onerous on administration (I just got finished with my state audit) - that we have to continue to provide more and more structure and more and more rules.

  I have to provide more services and materials for more people with less money -- That is what is sad.

  I have to answer the auditor's question: "What are you doing to prevent loss and overdues of public property?"  When dealing with public property I am told there is no such thing as that nebulous, soft little justification for bad manners and larceny, "acceptable loss."

  What is one of the things I am doing? A minor, minor thing that makes sense really - requiring a LIBRARY card when someone is at the LIBRARY checking out LIBRARY books..and, if as you say, that is a burden and an irritant - well, surely the thought that someone, somewhere in government is trying to be responsible for and with tax dollars ought to be a little salve.

  And, I just bet if I get stopped at a driver's license check tomorrow the Georgia State Trooper will not say - "That's all right, little lady, even if you forgot to carry your license, if  you know the number you can just go right on.."

  Dusty Gres, Director
  Ohoopee Regional Library System
  Hdq: Vidalia-Toombs County Library
  610 Jackson Street
  Vidalia, GA 30474
  PH: (912) 537-9283
  FAX: (912) 537-3735
  EMAIL: gresd at ohoopeelibrary.org
  WEB: http://www.ohoopeelibrary.org

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  From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Jim Sanderson
  Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 7:44 PM
  To: 'Sue Kamm'; 'Kate McCartney'; publib at webjunction.org
  Subject: RE: [Publib] Need your library card?

  Perhaps its just me but it seems sad that carrying a library card has moved from being a privilege to a burden.

  James W. Sanderson 
  Supervising Librarian 
  West Avenue Library 
  Newport News Public Library 
  2907 West Avenue 
  Newport News, Virginia. 23607 
  (757) 247-8505 
  (757) 247-2344 
  www.nngov.com/library 

    -----Original Message-----
    From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Sue Kamm
    Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 2:44 PM
    To: Kate McCartney; publib at webjunction.org
    Subject: Re: [Publib] Need your library card?

    -----Original Message----- 
    From: Kate McCartney 
    Sent: Oct 10, 2006 2:58 PM 
    To: publib at webjunction.org 
    Subject: Re: [Publib] Need your library card? 

    I am not a librarian yet, by working on it.  As a library user it can be cumbersome to not be able to check out without the card.  The library I check out of the most has self-check out which is great.  I have my number memorized so I never have my card on me (you start to run out of space for all the card you have to carry in you wallet)  I don't mind if I have to show my picture ID to check out, but I find it really poor customer service when I am not allowed to check out even if I know my card number or have my driver license with me.

    I don't always know that I am going to the library when I go there.  Sometimes I am out running other errands and decide to stop.  So the reasoning that everyone who is in the library to check out materials was planning to do so, can be presumptions.

    Is the loss of materials and amount of theft so high that customer can not be trusted to be honest with who they say they are?

    SK:  In a word, yes.  

    My library used to limit people to two items until their permanent card was mailed to them.  I think since we went to "instant library cards" our loss rate has risen.  The only time we mail a permanent card is if the borrower doesn't have a photo ID.  

    Stop and consider:  The library is lending public property.  As custodians of public property, it's the library's obligation to make its collection available.  Whoever checks out an item and doesn't bring it back is stealing - and that's either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the cost of the materials.  

 Your friendly CyberGoddess and Councilor-at-large,Sue KammInglewood/Los Angeles, CATruest of the Blue, Los Angeles Dodgers Think Blue Week 2000email:  suekamm [at] mindspring.comWhen you absolutely, positively HAVE to know, ASK A LIBRARIAN!

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