Guild library question

I'm a member of a tiny guild with no storage space so we have a virtual library. Members photocopy the front cover and table of contents of books that they're willing to lend. These are put into a big binder that comes to meetings. So any loans are member-to-member for whatever time they agree on. It's still a new system so we haven't run into any snags yet. :)

For your library I think fines would be a good idea - with perhaps an amnesty for "old" loans returned promptly once the new system is put in place. Time of loans - at least two meetings worth so that a memebr can miss a meeting without being stuck with fines. As for replacing books - see what the cost is to get another copy from amazon (or wherever it is sold) and charge that. If someone wants to buy the book themselves then that sounds reasonable too.

My $0.02, Allison

Allison

Julia > Our guild library is having a problem with books not being returned. If

Books are checked out for one month; we allow a month's grace period so that you can miss a meeting and not be penalized. One of the local quilt shops also accepts books for return.

We don't fine at the present time. The proposal is to charge a $5 per book fine if the book is not returned within two months. I think $5 is too much, but was told that a $1 fine would be meaningless; it wouldn't be for me.

We have not been asking members to replace the book. The proposal is that when the book has not been returned within 3 months, the member will be asked to pay for the book.

That will be the list price for the book; generally it is printed on the book.

The proposal is that the member will not have that option because it may be a book that the library planned to weed out of its collection and they don't really want a replacement.

Julia in MN

I've been my guild's librarian for a couple of years. The rules of the library were established before I took it on but I've not felt the need to make changes or be too strict of an enforcer. I'm given a lot of descretion so things may be decided on a case by case basis.

Technically a book is supposed to be checked out for one month. This frequently turns into a longer period but I don't worry about it unless someone else wants the book. Then I tell the requestor who has it in case they want to get it directly from them instead of waiting for the next meeting. The disadvantage to this is that the book is not on our bookcart for those browsing for their next inspiration.

Our library is only available at meetings. Since our July meeting is an offsite picnic and we don't meet in August, whatever gets checked out in June isn't due back until September. I strongly suggest that outstanding books must be checked back in before checking anything else out for the summer. In about March or April I start monthly announcements in both the meeting and the newsletter.

In September (the start of the new membership year) I check with our membership person to see if anyone with an outstanding book has not renewed their membership. So far I have only had to make a phone call and that person ended up signing up again anyway.

Three times a book has gone missing. In each case I have told the person to give it some time. The first book did reappear and I expect the other two to do so also. If not, we will work something out. One of the books was not in demand at all so if it never shows up I won't worry about it; I periodically have to cull the list in order to live within the confines of the bookcart so that title just may go on the culled list. (I sell culled titles to the membership for $1 and any not purchased get donated to another guild nearby.)

My thought on having a book replaced is to have a wishlist of titles to choose from. Why not get a new book out of it? :o) Of course, if it is a title that is necessary to the library then it should be replaced with that same title (or a newer edition).

Since you are having problems my laid back approach will not work for you. (I'm guessing you are in a larger guild than I am.)

I write a monthly column for me guild's newsletter (Library Corner) that lists the books (author and title) new to the library that month.

*IF* I had to come up with an accountability system I think I would add a "reminder list" at the end of the column. I'd certainly announce this ahead of time so it wouldn't take anyone by surprise. It might actually be helpful for those who check out more than one book and need to search their house for the books.

Title Name (month checked out)

example: Quilt in a Day Log Cabin Suzy Quilter (June 2009)

Hope this helps. Bert Klimas Librarian for the Colville (Washington) Piecemakers

Yes, we do have a larger guild -- 250+ members -- and our library fills

10 or 12 plastic milk crates. Like your guild, though, we only have check out at the meetings, so it is just once a month. We do not allow check out at the July meeting in an attempt to get all the books in for inventory. Our librarians do write a piece in each newsletter, usually including a list of new books. Once or twice a year, they publish a list of members with overdue books and the titles of those books.

Julia > >> Our guild library is having a problem with books not being returned. If

Our Guild checks out the books for one month. You check it out one month, and return it the next. Every month you are late, costs a quarter. Our new librarian has recently sorted out all the books that are never borrowed. Those will go into our Silent Auction coming up soon. She also has purchased some new books, and concentrated on getting a variety...piecing, applique, free motion, etc. I don't think she's had any problems with books not being returned.

I belong to a large guild also. Over 300. Our library is in flux since we lost our storage space. In normal times, check out is for one month. Fines are $2 per month. Names of delinquents are published in the newsletter each month. If a book in not returned in 3 month, membership rites are suspended, no classes, no special events, etc. We have a very organized Librarian who does a great job and losses are almost non-existant. Anna Belle

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:20:35 -0500, Julia >Our guild library is having a problem with books not being returned. If

Wow, I guess our guild is pretty lax! :-)

We have just over 200 members and quite a few crates of books and magazines.

The library is only open once a month during our general meetings. Some months they only set up a table in the back to collect returns if we have something big happening during meeting time like an auction or something. People fill out a card to check out the book and return it the next month if at all possible.

We did have a bit of trouble with books not being returned. The librarian and her committee then covered the bottom of the spine of each book with a piece of really bright, neon colored tape. (Like where the public library sticks the call numbers and such on their books) When they did this they announced that the hope was that the books would really stand out on people's bookshelves or book piles at home and would be easy to spot at a guild book.

Then they asked everyone to please check their homes and bring in any and all guild books that were found so they could also be tagged. People really came through and we've never had the need to ask people as a group to go hunting nor have we needed to publish names or anything that might embarrass someone.

We quilters are visual, sometimes a visual reminder works.

It works for us.

marcella

We do the bright tape on the spine, too. Ours are hot pink.

Julia > Wow, I guess our guild is pretty lax! :-)

Each of our books has a spine label with the author's last name (so I can file it on the cart alphabetically) and a label on the front with the Guild's name in inch high letters.

It's been interesting reading the various comments. I love being the librarian. It's the coolest guild job possible!

Bert in Rice, WA Librarian to the Colville Piecemakers

IMO, the fact that a member in your guild cannot make a direct replacement but must pay cash for the book, just in case the guild was planning to delete that title is a bit harsh. A member might have access to a replacement book at a more reasonable fee than the cover cost. Stuff happens and financially times are tough all over right now. I don't think that the guild should be so stern. I do think that there should be a replacement, but the guild should be a bit more lenient. JMO. PAT in VA/USA

.>> How is the replacement cost determined?

I don't know how public type libraries work (not the lending part but the purchasing and keeping) but would it just be easier to donate quilt books or the money to purchase them to the local library and just let them handle the books? The whole community would benefit and nobody has to haul books around. They might not be quite as available but overall it might be easier. Just an idea.

If you and I were in charge of the world, Taria, that would work. Alas that is not the case. Most libraries have just a certain amount of space for each topic. They would not have the space we need. Plus, they might not keep the titles we quilters prefer. Still, in a small town that might work. Here guild members live in at least six or seven communities with a total of about 15-20 branch libraries. This is not a big city but is a spread out area. I was at our branch today and noticed that there STILL are no quilting magazines on the racks, but there are two different golf magazines on the racks. Bah! PAT

make some noise at'em about getting in some mags for quilters alongside the golfers, then the couples can come in and enjoy a read together. serving'em a nice cuppa and some cookies with that read might not go amiss while they're at it. i presume they have a few nice couches to sit on there too. j.

"Pat in Virginia" wrote... If you and I were in charge of the world, Taria, that would work. Alas that is not the case. Most libraries have just a certain amount of space for each topic. They would not have the space we need. Plus, they might not keep the titles we quilters prefer. Still, in a small town that might work. Here guild members live in at least six or seven communities with a total of about 15-20 branch libraries. This is not a big city but is a spread out area. I was at our branch today and noticed that there STILL are no quilting magazines on the racks, but there are two different golf magazines on the racks. Bah! PAT

Yes, we have nice furniture and a fire place at our county library. The (pay) coffee machine broke and was not replaced. I realize there are county budget cuts, but I am going to whine some more! Pat

ohhhhhh and a fireplace, that is very flash. i like it. shame bout the coffee machine but if they allowed that, can you bring your own in a thermos? good on you for whining. while you're at it, might as well bring some cheese and crackers to go with that whine. do let us know what how they reply to the whine. j.

"Pat > make some noise at'em about getting in some mags for quilters alongside