[Publib] Overdue notices

[Rebecca Bronson]

MessageWe recently began using email reminders a couple of days ahead of
when patron materials are due, so they have a chance to renew before the due
date. We spent the month or so before asking patrons to update their email
addresses when they checked out, but still have run into a number of defunct
email addresses as we roll out our new email reminder service. But, I guess
that's to be expected. It will take some time to get everyone up to speed.
In the meantime, we use phone overdues and mailed notices. We send two
mailed notices, at two weeks and at four weeks overdue. We also will begin
using Unique Management to collect, but that hasn't begun yet.

For what it's worth, personally I think people should be responsible and
bring their stuff back on time or at least renew it in a timely fashion, but
alas, life often gets in the way. Then again, I think we should be paid more
too, but such is not the reality yet, although I know that folks are working
on it.

Rebecca Bronson
Reference Librarian
Handley Regional Library
P.O. Box 1300
Stephens City, VA  22655

540-869-9000 (voice)
540-869-9001 (fax)

www.hrl.lib.state.va.us

  -----Original Message-----
  From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Felicia Cheney
  Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:54 AM
  To: 'Lise Chlebanowski'; 'Kara Roberts'; publib at webjunction.org
  Cc: debisemail at hotmail.com
  Subject: RE: [Publib] re: Overdue notices


  I agree that everyone should claim responsibility for the contracts they
enter into--especially with the library.  After all how high are our fines?
It's not even the price of a parking ticket in my town.  However, as I was
driving home the other night, thinking about when I used to be a patron not
a librarian, I thought about what detered me from using the library.  It was
the fact that I couldn't keep the due dates straight.  So, in an effort to
encourage use I have suggesting patrons use library elf (tho' there is a
privacy issue), but I've also been considering sending e-mail reminders of
eminent due dates (not printed, way to pricey)--sort of a customer value
added service.  Whadda ya think?


  Felicia Cheney, Director
  Edgartown Free Public Library
  508-627-1373
    -----Original Message-----
    From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Lise Chlebanowski
    Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 7:37 PM
    To: Kara Roberts; publib at webjunction.org
    Cc: debisemail at hotmail.com
    Subject: RE: [Publib] re: Overdue notices


    I’m just wondering what it is that makes us think we have to send folks
2-3 reminders? Don’t we give them the date due when they check out? Don’t
most libraries offer renewal by phone and many online? Are we required by
law to send one reminder, much less two or three? Aren’t we loaning them
something with the agreement that they will return it for the next user? I
just wonder if we are spending too much money and wasting too many natural
and manmade resources “reminding” people! Why not just send a bill after a
certain amount of time has passed?! Just dangerously thinking out loud




    Lisë Chlebanowski

    Library Manager

    Avondale Public Library

    328 W. Western Ave.

    Avondale, AZ   86323

    lchlebanowski at avondale.org

    623-333-2611

    623-333-0260 Fax



    Now Reading: Remainder by Tom McCarthy (ARC)

    Now Listening: Velocity by Dean Koontz


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kara Roberts
    Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 10:53 AM
    To: publib at webjunction.org
    Cc: debisemail at hotmail.com
    Subject: [Publib] re: Overdue notices



    We send out overdue notices once a week and our system is set-up to
email anyone that has an email address attached to their record so that we
have a few less paper notices to mail out. We send out 3 notices: you get
the first one when the item has been overdue for 2 weeks and then you get
the other 2 notices the next 2 weeks. We had been printing them out on the
multi-part mailers and only quit that when the printer died. We now use
regular paper.  I’m curious, how much extra information is on your overdue
notice that only 3 – 4 items are printed on a notice? Ours would print out
(depending on length of title) around 10-12 items. Good luck with your
decision!



    Kara Roberts

    Starkville Public Library

    326 University Dr.

    Starkville, Ms 39759

    662-323-2766

    662-323-9140 (fax)

    http://www.starkville.lib.ms.us

    http://starkvillelibrary.blogspot.com/


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