[Publib] books returned dirty

[Karen Mahnk]

I agree - educating at some level might help - also,
if you have even a very small supply of "fancy bags" that can hold books,
you may want to use the next time they come in . Then address the children
(perhaps giving the bag of books to the children) as if they are rec.
something very special -
adding a few speical bookmarks  may help positively reinforce your
message - of "love your books"
You or some a creative staff member could create bookmarks that
attractively list ways to
take care of books. - or something to that effect.
If the books come back even a smidgen better condition, reinforce that
with more minor goodies/attention..
Hopefully, that will help..
OTOH, best loved books will have that most-used look ;-)
Karen Mahnk

Reference Librarian
Lake Park Public Library
529 Park Avenue
Lake Park, Fl., 33403
561 881-3330 Fax: 561881-3336
kmahnk at lakeparkflorida.gov
www.lakepark-fl.gov

On Dec 11, 2007 9:45 AM, Robert L. Balliot
<rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> 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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>



-- 
Karen Mahnk,