[Publib] Overdue notice language

[Robert L. Balliot]

I found them humorous, creative and good-natured.  I have 
read quite a few variations of overdue notices 
(including many that I have received) and would 
have enjoyed getting these instead. 

I guess that this shows how people interpret
language differently.  I am not able to even imagine 
reacting the same way that Kerry does. 

Chronically overdue and easily amused . . .

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
1-401-441-5763
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Kerry Howell
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 3:16 PM
To: Janet Griffing; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Overdue notice language

Those messages are passive aggressive, nasty and rude
in tone and I agree with your staff and patrons that
they are inappropriate. I'd be offended if I got one
in the mail. 

What's with the tone of moral superiority in regards
to your patrons not renewing their books? It's one
thing if they are protesting their fines, but really,
being antagonistic isn't going to get them to either
renew or return items if that's what you really want
from them. 

Kerry Howell



--- Janet Griffing
<janet.griffing at wadsworthlibrary.com> wrote:

> Greetings, collective mind!
> 
>  
> 
> We've recently become an Innovative Interfaces
> library after years of
> consortium membership. Among the many things over
> which we now have local
> control is the creation and mailing of overdue
> notices.
> 
>  
> 
> In a moment of whimsy, I wrote the following
> notices. They are meeting with
> some resistance on the part of staff and anger on
> the part of some
> customers. Interestingly, though, the customers who
> are complaining are also
> returning their overdue items! It's really hard to
> feel sorry for most
> folks, since they can renew online or by phone, and
> we have 24-hour book
> drop availability. 
> 
>  
> 
> I thought I'd throw the notice language out to all
> of you for comment. There
> are three notices: Number 1 is sent when items are
> two weeks overdue; Number
> 2 at four weeks; and Number 3 at six weeks. (Regular
> loan period is two
> weeks for books; one week for AV.) Please let me
> know what you think!
> Thanks!
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Number One:
> 
> Oops! You kept the following items longer than you
> promised. Please return
> them as soon as possible. Thank you!
> 
>  
> 
> Number Two:
> 
>  
> 
> Well, we asked politely the first time, but we still
> don't have your overdue
> items, and every day the fines keep adding up. It's
> not fair not to share -
> others are waiting! Please return your materials
> now, and you'll only have
> to pay the fines. Keep them longer, and we will be
> sending a bill.
> 
>  
> 
> Number Three:
> 
>  
> 
> We hoped it wouldn't come to this, but you've had
> these library materials
> for so long, we need to bill you for them. If you
> return them immediately,
> you only have to pay the fines and any additional
> processing fees. Why pay
> for something that should be free? Please return
> your items today!
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Janet Griffing
> 
> Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
> 
> Wadsworth Public Library
> 
> 132 Broad Street
> 
> Wadsworth, OH 44281
> 
> Phone: 330-334-335-2604
> 
> Fax: 330-334-6605
> 
>  
> 
> 
> "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle
> and shine when the sun
> is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true
> beauty is revealed only if
> there is a light from within." Elisabeth
> Kubler-Ross, 1926-2004
> 
> 
>  
> 
> > _______________________________________________
> Publib mailing list
> Publib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
> 



 
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