[Publib] Overdue notices

Tue Jan 23 12:33:03 EST 2007

We use the email reminders as well--one unfortunate
side effect is that the patron comes to rely on the
reminder, and when it is not received (it often
happens--spam filters and the like are constantly
being updated)  when it comes to paying fines, the
patron says, "I shouldn't have to pay, I didn't get
the email reminder!"

Of course, the bottom of the email says it's a
courtesy only, and do not reply, etc. etc. but
inevitably it's either, "I didn't get the reminder" or
"but I replied to the email asking you to renew my
books!"

:o)

--- Rebecca Bronson <rbronson at hrl.lib.state.va.us>
wrote:

> 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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