[Original posting on this topic appeared in COLLDV-L no. 2032 and is
reproduced below; the response follows it.]
From: "Kelly Giroir" <fmt007_at_mail.connect.more.net>
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES Does anyone have a policy or procedure in place
to handle the purchase of subject specific books or materials which
routinely are stolen from the collection (such as GED books, pregnancy,
witchcraft etc.) What I am looking for is either a rule of thumb of how
many items a library will buy before they stop replacing a title; or if
one resorts to putting "non reference" material in reference or on
"reserves"; or in the alternative a mechanism that ensures payment (such
as a deposit) if a book is not returned. Our library is not likely to use
a collection agency.
Kelly Jane Giroir
Collection Development Coordinator
Missouri River Regional Library
214 Adams Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
fmt007_at_mail.connect.more.net
573-634-2464
===========================================================================
(1) From: "K. L. Weber" <otley_at_flash.net>
I read an article recently that had an interesting suggestion re frequently
stolen items; it recommended stocking uncataloged extra copies of such
titles and offering to sell them to users who want their own copies. The
theory was that such items are often stolen by users who are too lazy to go
to a bookstore after the library to buy the books in question. I don't know
if any libraries are actually doing this, but it was an interesting idea,
at any rate...
-- K. L. Weber, TCU Library, Fort Worth, TX --
Received on Mon Jun 21 1999 - 17:50:48 EDT