[Publib] Overdue notice language

[Kevin Okelly]

As someone who was an active public library patron for several years
before becoming a librarian (and who racked up quite a few overdue fines),
I can confidently say that I would have been wryly amused had I received
such overdue notices, and probably charmed into returning the books sooner
than I would have otherwise.

Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Cataloging Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000


-----Original Message-----
From: "Robert L. Balliot" <rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com>
To: "'Kerry Howell'" <howellkerryl at yahoo.com>, "'Janet Griffing'"
<janet.griffing at wadsworthlibrary.com>, <publib at webjunction.org>
Cc: 
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 15:33:30 -0500
Subject: RE: [Publib] Overdue notice language

> 
> 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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