From: Jeanette Larson <larsonlibrary_at_yahoo.com>
To: "colldv-l_at_usc.edu" <colldv-l_at_usc.edu>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 9:57 AM
Subject: Wear and tear versus damage?
I'm asking on behalf of a library I'm working with. Staff have trouble
determining whether damage is "wear and tear" or the responsibility of the
patron. Do you have any guidelines (preferably written) to help staff determine
what is normal use wear and what is something the patron should be charged for?
We are looking for a manual that would illustrate examples for circulation staff
with examples of “common wear” versus “damage to the book".
Also, if you determine that the item is damaged, do you have any guidelines for
making the decision as to whether the material can continue to circulate or that
the damage is sufficient to warrant pulling the book or other item out of the
collection? There are obvious decisions at the extremes--torn up so badly you
can't read the book vs. a few dogeared pages or a ripped page that is taped--but
what about in the middle? This is especially an issue when confronted by a
patron who disagrees and does not want to pay to replace an item.
The issue of fees, charging for having to make minor repairs, is not the issue.
Thanks!
Jeanette Larson
Author, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore from the Americas (Charlesbridge, 2/11)
Author, El día de los niños/El día de los libros: Building a Culture of Literacy
in Your Community through Día (American Library Association, 4/11)
Blogger, ReaderKidz, http://www.readerkidz.com/
Blogger, ALSC Blog, http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/
www.jeanettelarson.com
Received on Sun Jan 27 2013 - 18:29:56 EST