[Publib] Grace periods, was: Overdue notices

[Linda Cannon]

Well, as far as *that* goes, we consider anything in the book drop
before 8 (when staff begins work--we open at 9) to be returned the
previous open day. Not officially "grace" because as far as we know,
they might have turned it in "on the day it was due" even if after we
closed. 


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 Whitewright Public
Library
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:10 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Grace periods, was: Overdue notices

Linda Cannon wrote:
>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.

We still have an overnight grace. If something's turned in before we
open for the day, we consider it in there prior day if there's a fine. I
think anything more than that makes it difficult for staff to do, and
also more difficult for patrons to understand.

We've made a lot of patrons happy with the grace because some who
commute several hours to work sometimes can't make it to the library
before we close, so they drop it off late in the evening or early in the
morning on their way to work the next day. We've even had a few patrons
with a guilty conscience pay something anyway, often more than the fine
would have been.

Chris Ely
=====================
Whitewright Public Library, Whitewright, Texas www.whitewright.lib.tx.us
<wwpl at texoma.net>

You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world! 
This room is the greatest arsenal we could have. ~ Doctor Who 


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