[Publib] Borrowing Limits for Homeless

[Sue Kamm]

We have the same kinds of limits for new borrowers.  Until about 13 years ago, new borrowers had to wait for their card to arrive in the mail to be able to borrow the limit.  Now, we offer an "instant card" to registrants with valid ID.  I don't know if we've ever studied our loss rate, but I bet is high among new borrowrs.

We limit videos - tapes and DVDs - to two of each.  This rule is also based on the size of our collections.

Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor at Large, 
Sue Kamm
Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
Visit my blog: http://suekamm.blogspot.com
"High fly ball hit into right field ... she is gone! In a year that seems so improbable, the impossible has happened!" - Vin Scully, calling Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run, Game 1, 1998 World Series


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Denise Johnson 
To: publib at webjunction.org;T P
Sent: 9/2/2008 6:25:08 AM 
Subject: Re: [Publib] Borrowing Limits for Homeless


I may have been the one to say we limited homeless (actually it is those living in temporary shelters also) to no AV. That has more to do with the limited size of our collection than anything else. We also limit all other borrowers to what they may check out at any one time from this collection. 

Also we have a serious problem with new patrons borrowing the limit and never coming back to the building again. So we do not loan Video in any format to our newest borrowers. ( We probably lost a third of the collection.) So in all honesty I can't think of an example of a person in a homeless or temporary shelter position who really doesn't fall under the limit of no Video format to the newest borrowers. 




This e-mail contains the thoughts and opinions of Denise Johnson and does not represent official Midland County Policy.

Denise Johnson, County Librarian
Midland County Public Library
301 W. Missouri Ave
Midland, TX 79701
Direct Phone:(432) 688-4333
Fax: (432) 688-4939
e-mail denise_johnson at co.midland.tx.us
Main Library number (432) 688-4320


>>> T P <x.libris at yahoo.com> 8/29/2008 6:32 PM >>>
We simply limit any patron without proof of address to 2 items at a time.  No embarrassment.  We just say, bring in a piece of mail, checkbook, car registration, etc.  pretty lax really, anything pre-printed, and the limit will be lifted.  We also suggest getting a card for each family member, so that each person can have 2.

I was curious as to why someone said they don't allow audio/visual materials to homeless.  Those items are generally less expensive than a book, sometimes considerably less.
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