[Publib] books returned dirty

[Cynthia Maxey]

To complicate matters a little (sorry), it may be that the poor
condition of the returned books may not be entirely due to lower
"concern for appearance/ cleanliness."  Kids and adults with some
learning disabilities can be unintentionally rough with books and
papers.  When I taught adult basic education, I often noticed that some
of my most motivated but struggling students would smudge and wear down
books in very short order.  The students themselves were usually clean
enough, but the books wouldn't remain that way long.  I could never
quite identify just what they were doing, except that they would grab
the books very tightly and kind of worry the paper as they read,
resulting in smudge marks and warped pages. Teachers sometimes identify
this as a signal to investigate the possibility of a learning
disability.

 

If the children read or look at books in the library, or if you have an
opportunity to engage them with books while they are there, it would be
interesting to watch how they handle them in front of you.  If the
mother borrows adult books, how are they returned?

 

If this is what is happening, there may not be any resolution to the
problem.  

Cindy Maxey, MLIS 
Librarian, Adult Services 
32649 Electric Blvd. 
Avon Lake Public LIbrary 
Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 
  
440.933.8128 ext. 248 
440.933.5659 fax 
  
http://www.avonlake.lib.oh.us <http://www.avonlake.lib.oh.us>  
  

[I]t is of paramount importance that the means of general information be
so diffused that the largest possible number of persons should be
induced to read and understand questions going down to the very
foundations of social order...and which we, as a people, are required to
decide, and do decide, either ignorantly or wisely.

Trustees, Boston Public Library, 1852 

 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Lisa
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 2:47 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] books returned dirty

 




Question, when a regular patron with small children continually returns
books that were new and very clean with dirty covers and sticky covers
and wrinkled pages, but NOT colored in or torn, should the condition of
the books be addressed. The books are dirty enough to need to be wiped
with a damp cloth before reshelving and forever appear old and somewhat
grubby due to scuff marks and warped pages. 

 

If this issue should be addressed, I need some help with a tactful and
encouraging approach. I tend to be blunt and to the point which does not
go over the way I intend for it too. 

 

I understand that books will not remain in pristine condition, however
most borrowers return books in better condition. These books appear to
have been in the floor board of a car and stepped on several times. The
children of this patron do have dirty hands and faces and I do not want
to embarrass  or be rude to this young mother who seems not have the
same amount of concern for general appearance/cleanliness as some.
And..... 

I want all the kids to have books!

 

This is only a concern because we are a very small community that relies
heavily on donations  and I do not have funds to replace books that wear
out prematurely. 

 

Thanks in advance for all perspectives on this issue.

 

Lisa 

 

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