[Publib] Dealing with patrons who steal

[Steve Standefer]

I would say the latter; some people are always going to try to screw up a
good thing for everyone else.  And your director has other things to do
besides ride herd on the coffee pot.  

 

If other patrons observing this one's behavior decide to adopt similar
practices, you will be able to tell it as the coffee pot empties faster than
the till fills up.  At that time, it might be best to either, 1) abandon
coffee for patrons, or 2) offer it for free, or for a donation.

 

At the 7-11 where I often get coffee, I regularly see the same guy loading
up his pockets with creamer.  The store staff has to know he is doing it,
but what are you going to do?  The vast majority of us play by the rules, so
they let it go.  We do this in libraries more than we realize, I think.  You
might just want to let it go.  

 

And that's what I think.  

 

Steve S.

Mansfield, Texas

 

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Mary Ann Hayden
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 9:50 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Dealing with patrons who steal

 

Pulib members:
Our Friends of the Library group offers coffee, tea and snacks for a fee but
patrons are expected to use the honor system by paying for this at the front
desk.  Since this service has started we have only had problem with one
patron who tried to get away without paying for his coffee.  He even watches
us at desk and gets refills when we are very busy. 
 
We have tried all kinds of things to get him to pay regularly like limiting
the inventory of creamers so he will be forced to come to the desk to ask
for them.  We have watched him when we could, so we could count the cups and
even confronted him but nothing seems to work. 
 
Should the Director get involved at this point?  Or should we just be
resolved to the fact that some people are, and will always be, less than
honorable.  Thanks for any and all ideas.
  
Mary Ann Hayden 
Amherst County Library
MLS




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