[Publib] Overdue notice language

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings Chris,

'Passive-aggressive' refers to a defense mechanism
used towards authority.  Your use of it to describe
the actions of an authority is incorrect.

I have had very few patrons that I would consider to
be rude.  Maybe one out of a hundred. So, I am unable
to relate to the phenomenon that you are describing
in Texas. What I do take from your comments is that
in your situation the library is so undervalued that
use and non-use of the library could be determined
by something as benign as a conversational tone in
an overdue notice.  

I think the overdue notices presented provide an
added value.  They create a personal connection with
the library.  I think that most patrons appreciate a
personal connection.  Perhaps you need to take your
library in a completely different direction and focus
on making personal connections.  Then, you would not
need to worry about a herd of rude patrons who
might stampede at the first sign of creativity.


*************************************************
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 Chris Ely
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 6:17 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Overdue notice language

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

_______________________________________________
Publib mailing list
Publib at webjunction.org
http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib