SPAM-LOW: [Publib] Unreasonable?

[Andrea Berstler]

Here's a little food for thought, 

If you have a set of patrons at one branch who are "old school" and do not
use the online holds system, you still have a responsibility to serve them
where they are. . . not where you wish they would be. If those patrons are
browsers only, then you have to respect that mindset and serve them.  

I would say that each branch should have their own copy and the right to
either fill holds from other branches or the freedom to pass on filling
holds from other branches for a set time, so that their patrons can pick up
a copy at their library. 

You have to remember, we librarians see branches, shared catalogs and shared
collections, patrons see "Their Library", the rest is just details. 


Andrea Berstler
Village Library of Morgantown
207 N Walnut St
Morgantown PA 19543

Board Member - Association for Rural and Small Libraries


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of jgage at bartoncountylibrary.com
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 4:29 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: SPAM-LOW: [Publib] Unreasonable?

I'd like to know if I am being unreasonable.

Scenario -- We are a small, three-branch rural library system.
We cannot afford multiple copies of books for an individual branch, but
frequently buy copies of popular books for each branch.

Situation -- Branch A is the administrative branch and does all ordering and
processing.  Branch A, B, C each have a copy of a best-seller ordered.
Branch A has six holds on the books already when it is ready for
circulation.  Neither branch B nor C have any patrons who have placed it on
hold.  Is it unreasonable that until it is needed at a branch or holds at
Branch A are completed that all three copies are being used at Branch A? 

Branch B patrons refuse to place holds on books (branch manager's stmt.) and
the branch manager is upset "their" book is still at Branch A checked out by
a patron who uses Branch A.  I told her that unless her patrons place holds
on items, if there is a list at the main branch, theirs would be used to
fill holds and make the best use of our resources.  We already put these
books on a "demand" status with a shorter check out period.

Am I being unreasonable in this practice?  I'm willing to listen to the
voice of reason.

Jacque