[Publib] Fwd: [District Dispatch] Emily Sheketoff gives statementduring meeting on consumer safety act

[Robert L. Balliot]

Yes, but it sort of creates a problem with its euphemism:

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en
<http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIR_enUS214US214&q=define%3A+mem
ber&aq=f&oq> &rlz=1T4GGIR_enUS214US214&q=define%3A+member&aq=f&oq=

 

We had a similar problem with the public libraries in Rhode Island.  They
recently

changed their name from CLAN to Ocean State Libraries.  When you asked
someone

if they had a CLAN card, the meaning could be misconstrued and created an
unwanted

reaction.

 

And, with that, concepts such as 'Member Services' may take on unwanted
connotations outside

of Craigslist.

 

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Needham,George
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 5:52 PM
To: publib
Cc: Joan Frye Williams
Subject: RE: [Publib] Fwd: [District Dispatch] Emily Sheketoff gives
statementduring meeting on consumer safety act

 

I'm going to once again make my pitch (courtesy of the work of my frequent
unindicted co-conspirator, Joan Frye Williams) to use the word "members" for
the people who take advantage of library services. 

Joan came to this conclusion by actually asking people (non-librarians) for
an appropriate, respectful word to describe the people who take advantage of
library services. They were unprompted, no multiple choice lists, nothing
like that. And "member" was their preferred term. After all, how often do we
hear people say that they've "joined" the library? That's what members do.
Members are part of a community. They have rights and responsibilities. They
get a card. 

And the people who haven't joined yet? They aren't "non-members." They're
"guests." 

All the best, 

George 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
  George Needham 
  Vice President, Member Services 
  OCLC, Inc. 
  6565 Kilgour Place, MC 109 
  Dublin, Ohio 43017 
  Voice: 614-761-5173 
  Fax: 614-718-7549 
  Cell: 614-256-5206 
   <http://scanblog.blogspot.com> http://scanblog.blogspot.com 

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