[Publib] Sensitive question

[Karen Mahnk]

Replacing seems the most immediate solution but from the long term, perhaps
find a)  just why the books aren't coming back (there are several
reasons from censorship to carelessness)
& B) how to induce patrons to bring them back.
You may find positive inducements more appealing & saves $$ in
replacement costs.. or
simply investing in some strong deterrents  - that seem less appealing
ie. collection firms.
If there's no incentive to return the book vs. keeping it, then the
library may want to get creative
w/ creating an incentive..
Karen Mahnk,
Reference Librarian
Lake Park Public Library
529 Park Avenue
Lake Park, Fl., 33403
561 881-3330 Fax: 561881-3336
kmahnk at lakeparkflorida.gov
www.lakepark-fl.gov

On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 8:54 PM, Alonzo W. Hill <mrlibrarydude at yahoo.com> wrote:
>      MIA titles is part of the library world in all genres, some more than
> others.  The truth of the matter is, if certain titles keep coming up MIA,
> but patrons are asking for it, it is the library's responsibility to replace
> it.  That's just what libraries do in my honest opinion.  It's a more
> objective decision to re-order, than subjective...
>
>
> -Alonzo W. Hill
>
> lynlestblue at aol.com wrote:
>
> Dear Publibbers,
>
> Is there a particular genre of fiction that you have to keep replacing?  If
> so, how often to your refresh this collection?
>
> I don't want to mention the "C" word but if the entire African American
> fiction collection is MIA each year, how can the collection development
> librarian  justify buying the same set of books over and over again?  How
> can the librarian justify not replacing the collection?
>
> Just so you know, I am an African American librarian (I have been for 9
> years) who respects everyone's right to read freely. I am just troubled when
> honest people want to read this genre of fiction and I have to tell them
> that it's lost or missing.
>
> What say you, publibbers?
>
> --Reference librarian in a growing southern town
> ________________________________
> Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your phone.
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>
>
> Alonzo W. Hill
>
> MLIS
>
> "A library is an arsenal of liberty."
>
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