[Libs-Or] Fwd: Re: Patron request

Tue Mar 31 14:23:27 PDT 2015

This sounds like something that would be handled better through social media. Do you  have Facebook or twitter? Could you start a book recommendation conversation for patrons to post reading suggestions? Or host a Make Your Own Book  Group? The library provides space and puts the coffee pot on and anyone who wants to can show up at a certain time to talk with other patrons about what they are reading.

I tend to think worst case scenario (rather than John Cusack rom-com)…. And those thoughts include things like drug sales, child pornography, white supremacy tracts, etc.  I wouldn’t recommend it. ☺

Eva Calcagno, Director
Washington County Cooperative Library Services
(503)846-3233
www.wccls.org<http://www.wccls.org>

From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Marta Murvosh
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 2:07 PM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [Libs-Or] Fwd: Re: Patron request

In the senario Meg asked about, she was asked by the patron to put a note in a book.

Part of processing a returned book is to remove bookmarks, receipts, etc.

Adding a note means the library would be taking an action that they would need to  do for every patron who asked.

If I saw someone going through our holds shelves and putting notes in specific titles, I would consider that disruptive behavior.

While this patron might have good intentions, it's neither appropriate or an efficient use of staff to inquire into intentions or read notes.

Marta Murvosh, MLS
freelance writer & librarian
360-610-9642
murvosh at yahoo.com<mailto:murvosh at yahoo.com>

Sent from my smartypants phone. Pardon typos from big fingers on tiny keys.

-------- Original message --------
From: Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney <kbrodbeck-kenney at lincolncity.org<mailto:kbrodbeck-kenney at lincolncity.org>>
Date: 03/31/2015 1:15 PM (GMT-08:00)
To:
Cc: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Patron request

I'm not sure if it's a rational response or not, but as a reader I would be uncomfortable at finding such a thing, and wonder if it was possibly an attempt to proselytize in some way -- similar to the religious tracts we sometimes find in our books on witchcraft and the supernatural. I'm willing to admit that my personal feelings on this may not be in line with how the majority of the public would feel, however.

Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, MLIS
Library Director
Driftwood Public Library
801 SW Hwy 101, #201
Lincoln City, OR 97367
541-996-1251 (desk)
541-996-1262 (fax)
www.driftwoodlib.org<http://www.driftwoodlib.org/>

>>> Gretta Siegel <bvsg at pdx.edu<mailto:bvsg at pdx.edu>> 3/31/2015 1:12 PM >>>
It may or may not be a good way to start a book group, but I don't understand why the library would intervene. Here is my original response that I only sent to Meg: I would honor the request. It's kind of like someone writing in the book, but in this case, they didn't deface the property. She is opting out of confidentiality. I think it's a cool idea. The next person can opt in or opt out.

my two cents,

gretta siegel

******************************************************************
Gretta Siegel, Professor Emeritus
Portland State University
siegelg at pdx.edu<mailto:siegelg at pdx.edu>
http://works.bepress.com/gretta_siegel/

On Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 12:15 PM, Cheryl Spangler <CSpangler at ci.harrisburg.or.us<mailto:CSpangler at ci.harrisburg.or.us>> wrote:
Yes, I guess giving your phone number to strangers may not be a good way to start a book club idea
Cheryl Spangler
From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>] On Behalf Of Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 11:52 AM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Patron request
I'm mostly reacting to this as a patron, rather than as a librarian, but this feels a little strange and invasive to me. I think I would instead find ways of connecting patrons to books that offer an equal footing to opt-in -- book discussion groups or similar.

Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, MLIS
Library Director
Driftwood Public Library
801 SW Hwy 101, #201
Lincoln City, OR 97367
541-996-1251<tel:541-996-1251> (desk)
541-996-1262<tel:541-996-1262> (fax)
www.driftwoodlib.org<http://www.driftwoodlib.org/>
>>> Meg Spencer <meg at siuslawlibrary.org<mailto:meg at siuslawlibrary.org>> 3/30/2015 5:24 PM >>>
I just received a request from a patron who asked to leave a letter in a book she just returned (and which is on hold for another patron). In the letter, she has included her name and phone number and invites the next patron to contact her if they would like to discuss the book further. Any thoughts? Does it feel too much like it violates patron confidentiality? Or am I standing in the way of making a connection through books?
Meg
Siuslaw Public Library
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