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Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore
The policy is there for a good reason: to keep someone from monopolizing the book. It's important that it be on the shelf for a certain amount of time so that browsers can come across it. Not everyone uses the catalogue. My library used have an issue with a gentleman who would check out all the books on resumes and employment and, when the renewals were expired, do as you suggest. We had to institute a waiting period to allow other people to get a crack at the book. Libraries are as much for the browsers and the people who read in the library as for those who check out the books.
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Peace. As a long-time user and lover of libraries, I uphold the rights of all. library users. I do take your point. But a librarian should also be able to distinguish between a habitual offender and one who ran out of time, just this once. Or twice.
The waiting period makes me a little uncomfortable, frankly. It means the library is tracking what people are reading. What's their response when Homeland Security comes a-knocking with questions? I'd rather have a seat-of-the-pants judgment from a librarian who knows the patrons and the issue and can enforce an informal policy, "Gee, Mr. Jones, we really do have to let these job-hunting books stay in circulation, so many people are looking for jobs these days. I'm afraid I can't let you check them out again right away." Although I acknowledge the difficulty with that, too, if Mr. Jones decides to create a scene. Sometimes there's no perfect solution.