[Publib] Rules

Tue Oct 7 16:13:37 EDT 2008

I find this really interesting. Our library cards need renewing every
two years - but that's just a case of the member telling us their
address so we can update it if necessary. If a card hasn't been used in
5 years it drops off the system and the member has to sign a new form to
become a member again. When signing up people we require two forms of ID
- which enables the person to then take two items out. Once we have seen
proof of address (bank statement, power or phone bill, etc from the last
month) then they can take up to 20 items out. NZ doesn't require it's
drivers licenses to include the persons address.

All our copiers run off PHAROS accounts - so we can load money onto a
members library card, or onto a visitors account if they aren't a
member. This can be paid for by either cash or card.

Megan Burns
Network Library Assistant
Christchurch City Libraries
New Zealand

________________________________

	From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Nann Blaine Hilyard
	Sent: Wednesday, 8 October 2008 3:29 am
	To: publib at webjunction.org
	Subject: RE: [Publib] Rules

	Mack, you've just been a mystery shopper without even trying!
(For those of you who haven't met him, Mack is a longtime PubLib poster
and a former ALA Councilor-at-Large.)  

	Things I've noted from his experience:

	1 - *all* copiers on the fritz?  That's inexcusable - esp. to
not have any alternate suggestions (e.g. "go to the second floor and use
the copier in the children's room").

	2 - more and more libraries do accept debit cards; is the VLPL
investigating same?  

	3 - it is NOT unreasonable, IMO, to think that people would have
a coupla bucks (paper or coin) on hand ....I have quarters in my car for
(a) the Aldi shopping cart and (b) the parking meter at the Waukegan
Metra station

	4 - the library administration should be aware of what
constitutes a legitimate driver's license address (e.g. the sticker on
Mack's) and should be sure that all staff who will be dealing with
borrower registration know that

	5 - requirements for registering should be posted:  in a flyer
at the desk, on the website

	At our library we have begun sending notices to everyone whose
registration will expire the next month - the letter states what i.d. is
accepted for renewal.   The letters are sent bulk mail.  The circ staff
report that it sets up a positive interaction, "Thanks so much for the
reminder!" rather than the negative, "Whaddaya mean, my card is expired
and I can't check out this book I need right now?!"  

	I think Mack should let the library director know about his
experience.  "In the interest of good customer service, I though you
should know about the very bad experience I had at the VLPL Central
Library last Saturday. <give the facts>  I'd like to talk with you at
greater length.  May I make an appointment for....?"

	Nann

	@the library in Zion, Illinois 

	From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of backwage at aol.com
	Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 5:20 PM
	To: publib at webjunction.org
	Subject: [Publib] Rules

	A couple of hours ago I took the very convenient subway train
over to the central outlet of our Very Large Public Library.  A friend
asked me to check out a pair of books so that she could compare the
introductions to the different editions.  Okay.  So I went.  Half an
hour later I had the books in hand, and figured that it would be best
simply to copy the introductions.  Alas, no copy machine in sight that
would work.  All busted.  And besides, it was two-bits a page, which
would have exceeded my pocket money.  

	I never carry money.  Don't have to.  Have this thing called a
debit card.  Been around for some time now.  Vendors accept them as both
cash and identification.  No problem.  

	And so I went downstairs to check out the books.  Whoops, quoth
the clerk, your library card is expired.  Ha, says I, shoot me a new
one, please.  No can do, replies the clerk.  Need identification with
current address.  And I don't have any:  my driver license has old
address with new one pasted to back.  Perfectly legal hereabouts.  But
not to the Very Large Public Library.  VLPL clerk asks if I have a check
with an address?  Why no, I haven't.  Any checks, that is.  Haven't used
them in ages.  Those went the way of the floppy disk.  Do I  happen to
have a gas company bill on me?  Strangely enough, no.  And I only gets
them things quarterly, when they do come.  

	Library clerk fumbles through the computer records.  No record
of me on file.  Not under any name like mine at all.  Must not have used
card since Truman, eh?  

	Some supervisor is trotted out.  Merely confirms bad news.
While she intones my fate, I see that the VLPL actually takes credit
cards.  It flashes through my mind that I might be better off ripping
the books in half, then paying for them with my Visa.  It also comes to
mind that the rolling taco vendor who visits my place of work maintains
a higher degree of technology than my own dear VLPL.  But that's because
Mr. Vendor of Tacos wishes to remain alive in a competitive business;
the VLPL has no competitors--at least that they are afraid might take
over their spot on the corner.  Because, believe me, the other chain in
the same business, the Equally Gigantic Public Library System, runs on
the same low-octane fuel.  

	Bet you a dollar to a doughnut that if somebody told them that
in five years' time the winner of a public service poll would remain and
the other go under, lock, stock and librarians, that I wouldn't have
gone out that door without my books.  Increasingly I've come to believe
that this is the key--but then, this change has come over me since I
quit thinking like a library worker and started thinking like a patron
again.  

	And so yours truly trudges homeward without his bundle.  A
victory for the rules.  But what's a poor patron to do about all this?
Well, apparently, he can go talk to the taco vendor.  

	M. McGrorty

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