Changes in library circulation policy
I finally wrote to the Library Board. I decided to send emails to each member, because there is another Board meeting this Wednesday, and I hope to perhaps have a tiny bit of influence.
This is the text I sent.
I am very upset about the recent changes to the Hennepin County Library Circulation Policies. While 100 books checked out to one person at a time is rather generous, cutting it to less than a third of that, 30 books, all at once, seems drastic and unfair. Patrons already have to return an item after three weeks if there is a request for that particular book. Why not let people keep materials checked out if no one has requested them? This will be, I’m sure, especially a hardship for people who can’t get to the library frequently, and parents of children too young to check out their own books.
I am especially concerned about this policy change in light of the fact that returned books do not seem to be taken off patron records in a timely fashion. Several times recently, books I have returned have still shown as checked out to me until the next day or even later. I gather there is not enough staff to check in books immediately. What will be done when patrons cannot check out books because items have been physically returned to the library, but not checked in? Or those which have been returned to another MELSA library and have not yet reached Hennepin County?
I am also quite upset by the new limitation on the number of requests an individual may place. I think this is an especially poor idea. Requests inform the acquisitions department what books are in demand, and should have a priority for orders. Since many books are ordered months before publication, this leaves the library with less information about demand in the future. I see no benefit to this change and a large disadvantage
I think limiting Interlibrary Loan Requests to 10 just shows how drastic the loss of books at the library has become. If you bought the books people wanted, people wouldn’t need to use ILL so frequently. I seldom used it until a few years ago. Now, I use it because the Hennepin County Library does not buy, or does not retain, the books I need for my research as a professional writer.
In the past, before major changes have occurred, there were surveys of some sort, online and on paper in branches, to ask patrons what their preferences were. There were announcements that it would be discussed at the Library Board meeting. This time, there was no request for preferences, no warning, just this draconian imposition.
I think the Hennepin County Library is serving its patrons poorly with these changes.
I also sent it to Peter McLaughlin, my Hennepin County Commissioner, and added:
I think these changes will cause a drop in circulation because people will not be able to check out as many books. That could be used as an excuse for cutting the budget and services even more. People who can, will use other library systems. But the disadvantaged populations of Minneapolis will have fewer options.
I just received my property tax estimate for 2012, and my taxes have actually gone down. I’m not complaining, but I would much prefer to see the public libraries - and other public services - properly funded.
This is the text I sent.
I am very upset about the recent changes to the Hennepin County Library Circulation Policies. While 100 books checked out to one person at a time is rather generous, cutting it to less than a third of that, 30 books, all at once, seems drastic and unfair. Patrons already have to return an item after three weeks if there is a request for that particular book. Why not let people keep materials checked out if no one has requested them? This will be, I’m sure, especially a hardship for people who can’t get to the library frequently, and parents of children too young to check out their own books.
I am especially concerned about this policy change in light of the fact that returned books do not seem to be taken off patron records in a timely fashion. Several times recently, books I have returned have still shown as checked out to me until the next day or even later. I gather there is not enough staff to check in books immediately. What will be done when patrons cannot check out books because items have been physically returned to the library, but not checked in? Or those which have been returned to another MELSA library and have not yet reached Hennepin County?
I am also quite upset by the new limitation on the number of requests an individual may place. I think this is an especially poor idea. Requests inform the acquisitions department what books are in demand, and should have a priority for orders. Since many books are ordered months before publication, this leaves the library with less information about demand in the future. I see no benefit to this change and a large disadvantage
I think limiting Interlibrary Loan Requests to 10 just shows how drastic the loss of books at the library has become. If you bought the books people wanted, people wouldn’t need to use ILL so frequently. I seldom used it until a few years ago. Now, I use it because the Hennepin County Library does not buy, or does not retain, the books I need for my research as a professional writer.
In the past, before major changes have occurred, there were surveys of some sort, online and on paper in branches, to ask patrons what their preferences were. There were announcements that it would be discussed at the Library Board meeting. This time, there was no request for preferences, no warning, just this draconian imposition.
I think the Hennepin County Library is serving its patrons poorly with these changes.
I also sent it to Peter McLaughlin, my Hennepin County Commissioner, and added:
I think these changes will cause a drop in circulation because people will not be able to check out as many books. That could be used as an excuse for cutting the budget and services even more. People who can, will use other library systems. But the disadvantaged populations of Minneapolis will have fewer options.
I just received my property tax estimate for 2012, and my taxes have actually gone down. I’m not complaining, but I would much prefer to see the public libraries - and other public services - properly funded.