I love this. IMO, this should be SOP for deputies everywhere (once the fine reaches about $100). It may or may not be bad PR for the library--not having what the patron wants is also bad PR! I think there is more to this story and I doubt that the patron is an innocent victim here; then again, there are some librarians who don't have good judgment regarding situations like this one. We'll never know the whole truth of it. I'd like to think that some resolution would have been possible before such a drastic step (and would be reluctant to take such a step myself). I have always been fortunate to live near (relatively) well off public libraries--but in rural areas and the like, the library cannot afford to lose items. Maybe this guy will serve as an example to others--what not to do.
Eleanor
-----Original Message-----
From: Medical Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary Hanson
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:41 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Don't shoot, I'll return it
Years ago when I worked for a county library system, deputies would be sent to collect your overdue books. I remember one instance where the patron had moved to the far side of the state, so the sheriff in our county arranged for deputies from that county to get the books. The books were then transferred across the states by various deputies meeting at each county line. The guys (there were no women in those days) thought it was wonderfully amusing to show up on someone's doorstep and announce they were there "for the library books". We rescued lots of materials that way--some that had been overdue to 10 years or more.
Mary A. Hanson, M.S.L.
Saint Mary's Health Sciences Library
200 Jefferson SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
voice: 616-685-6260
fax: 616-685-6419
>>> Susan Fowler <[log in to unmask]> 03/15/2010 11:32 AM >>>
I see how this is an amusing story. I remember being very frustrated
whenever I would discover expensive library materials had grown legs and
walked. But I think the policy described in the story is extreme leading to
an unfortunate incident that encourages a negative and intimidating view of
libraries and librarians. I am chronically irresponsible about library
materials. Were I a library patron in that community I would cease going to
the library and just buy my books - far better to spend a little money then
risk going to jail. I don't think this is an attitude libraries can afford
to foster and has a much larger price tag then 8K.
--
Susan Fowler, MLIS
[log in to unmask]
On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 9:55 AM, Tylman, Vislava <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> The main point of the story is the user. We (university, hospital,
> institutional libraries) usually know our users and/or have established
> ways of communicating with our users. If it comes to lost/not returned
> materials, we have rules to follow to recover the loss, except of course
> walk-aways. Public libraries have many users like the two presented in the
> description - they don't care, don't remember, move to other place, ignore
> reminders, give to friends and think that's perfectly OK, it's just a book,
> CD, not big deal.
> For public libraries legal action is probably the only way to follow to
> recover some of the lost materials. And for library users who think that not
> returning library materials is OK - it was a good lesson.
> The only problem I can see - the handcuffs. I think that the police should
> use other methods for catching somebody stealing library materials and keep
> handcuffs for bank robbers etc.
>
> Vislava
>
> Vislava Tylman
> Goldblatt Medical Library
> 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.
> Weston, FL 33331
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Medical Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Vonville, Helena M
> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:10 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Don't shoot, I'll return it
>
> Hmmmm, nearly $8,000 worth of materials lost in one year due to items not
> being returned according to this story.
>
> I can't count the number of times I've seen people on this list express
> their frustration over books checked out (or "borrowed" when the librarian
> is out) and never returned. The threshold for legal action is a bit low--
> $30-- but $8K is a lot of money to spend on buying something you've already
> paid for.
>
> Helena
>
> Helena M. VonVille, MLS, MPH
> Library Director
> University of Texas School of Public Health Library Houston, TX 77030
> [log in to unmask]
> 713.500.9131 (office)
> 713.500.9125 (fax)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Medical Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Emily Eresuma
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 4:03 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Don't shoot, I'll return it
>
> That is extreme!
>
> Emily
>
> Emily Eresuma, MLS
> Senior Medical Librarian
> Primary Children's Medical Center
> 100 North Mario Capecchi Drive
> Salt Lake City, Utah 84113-1100
> [log in to unmask]
>
> 801-662-1391
> 801-662-1393 (fax)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Medical Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Jones, Cason
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 2:53 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Don't shoot, I'll return it
>
>
> http://abcnews.go.com/WN/arrested-cuffed-overdue-library-books/story?id=10062565&partner=yahoo
>
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