[Publib] books returned dirty

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

 

I think that is a great point by Cynthia.  I never knew that

could be an indication of another underlying issue.  

 

One method that might be helpful is to educate everyone 

on how to care and maintain the books that they are sharing -

preservation for patrons.  A display that shows the dos and don'ts, 

a bookmark that says 'take care of our books",

examples of damaged books, and how to keep them clean

could help to target the problem behavior, instead of the 

individuals.

 

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

1-401-441-5763

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Cynthia Maxey
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:33 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] books returned dirty

 

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 
  

[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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