[Publib] Overdue notice language

[Chris Ely]

At 10:28 AM 1/4/2008, Robert L. Balliot wrote:
>If you decide not to use a free public library again because you did 
>not like the wording in a notice that you owe $1.40 and still have 
>materials out, then it is your loss - not the library's.

Do we really want to create such a hostile environment where patrons 
don't want to come back, for whatever reason? I know we're all 
frustrated with overdues, especially chronic ones, but can't we just 
ask for our stuff back without passive aggressive language?

Why should I run off an otherwise good patron who had a book lost 
under their car seat for two weeks because instead of asking 
politely, there's a layer of sarcasm in the notice? Just because so 
many of our patrons are rude to us is no reason to be rude to all 
patrons with something overdue. Sure, there's a lot of deadbeats, but 
there's also people who just flat out forget and a *friendly* 
reminder is all they need.

Chris Ely

=====================
Whitewright Public Library, Whitewright, Texas
www.whitewright.lib.tx.us  <librarian at whitewright.lib.tx.us>

"Pathetic human race. Arranging their knowledge by category just made 
it easier to absorb. Dewey, you fool, your decimal system has played 
right into my hands." Futurama