[Publib] Overdue notices
Linda Cannon
LCannon at joplinpubliclibrary.org
Wed Jan 24 09:58:41 EST 2007
Ah, yes, I well remember the days when we had a grace period. It was before automation, so we had to count the days on a calendar, which only added to the fun. I don't know *how* many hundreds of times (literally) I explained the concept of "grace". I almost threw a party the day we stopped having a grace period. I think our grace period did more to aggravate patrons than it did to please them.
Linda Cannon, Collection Development Librarian
Joplin Public Library
300 S. Main St.
Joplin, MO 64801
417-623-7953
lcannon at joplinpubliclibrary.org
http://www.joplinpubliclibrary.org
-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Mary Donley
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:15 PM
To: Lise Chlebanowski; Rebecca Bronson; fcheney at clamsnet.org; Kara Roberts; publib at webjunction.org
Cc: debisemail at hotmail.com
Subject: RE: [Publib] Overdue notices
Our library has 7 days "grace" so patrons who return within the 7 days don't get fined. Here's the rub.
On the 8th day, we charge 80 cents. Patrons think it should be 10 cents since there are 7 days of grace.
Sometimes you just can't win even when you try to be nice.
Mary
--- Lise Chlebanowski <lchlebanowski at avondale.org>
wrote:
> Or we could be like credit card companies and once our books are 1 day
> overdue the daily fine goes from .10 cents to $10!
>
>
>
> 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: Rebecca Bronson
> [mailto:rbronson at hrl.lib.state.va.us]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:36 AM
> To: fcheney at clamsnet.org; Lise Chlebanowski; 'Kara Roberts';
> publib at webjunction.org
> Cc: debisemail at hotmail.com
> Subject: RE: [Publib] Overdue notices
>
>
>
> We 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)
>
>
=== message truncated ===>
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