[Publib] Overdue notice language

[Kathleen McCorkle]

I agree Robert!

----- 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>
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 2:33 PM
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
>>
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> ________
> Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
> _______________________________________________
> Publib mailing list
> Publib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Publib mailing list
> Publib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
>
>