FWD: Re: [Publib] Special privileges

[Sue Bowser]

Several years ago at another library I had a patron who had been going on for a good five minutes about how he paid taxes and so how dare the library charge him overdues. It didn't help that the township where he lived was notoriously cheap. Finally my inner censor stepped aside and said, "Go for it, girl."  I opened the fine drawer and kindly offered to return the 72 cents in local taxes the library had received from him that year.  

Sue Bowser
Manager, Adult Services
Lancaster Public Library
125 N. Duke St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 394-2651 x117
Fax (717) 394-3083
sbowser at lancaster.lib.pa.us

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Elizabeth Thorson" <EThorson at lclsonline.org>
Date:  Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:16:02 -0700

No way would we allow this! The mind boggles.

Last Friday, though, I actually had someone use the old line about taxes and my salary. He wanted to use our phone at the desk and I told him he could use the courtesy phone or the pay phone. He said, "I've paid taxes to the state for years that pay your salary, and you're telling me I can't use this phone?"

I wanted to say "Wyoming doesn't have a state income tax and we get our funding from the county anyway so THERE" and/or "Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you."

I didn't say either. I did hold my ground on the phone issue, and I would dig in my heels on the "special privileges" thing too. Good luck!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Cuckow Thorson
Manager, Reference and Technical Services
Laramie County Library System
2800 Central Ave., Cheyenne WY 82001
www.LCLSonline.org, ethorson at LCLSonline.org
307-634-3561 ext. 141
Mon-Thurs 10 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 1-5 pm

>>> "Linda Dydo" <ldydo at losgatosca.gov> 1/9/2007 5:48:25 PM >>>
Over 30 years in the business, and I still am amazed by new situations.
 
One of our nicest customers, who regularly donates books, suggested
that he be allowed special privileges because he donates so much.
He would like priority on requested title lists, or perhaps a lower
fine rate, or longer check-put periods and unlimited renewals.
 
Do any of you public libraries provide tiered privileges based on donor
activity?
 
I googled this, and find that some libraries do allow priority on
request lists for special donors, but these were special libraries, not
public.
 
My self-righteousness (which I would have taken pains to conceal from
the customer) is a little shaken.  I wanted to proclaim that no library
would ever do this.  
 
Can I still use the old "public libraries, publicly funded, provide
equal access" while I think (sir, our favors cannot be purchased.)
 
 
 
Linda Hardy Dydo
Assistant Library Director
Los Gatos Public Library
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, California     95030
408-354-6897
 
 

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