The library is funded primarily by Ad Valorem Property Tax and because valuations have gone down, we are anticipating a reduction in revenue in 2010. In these situations, you have two choices. You may reduce expenses and/or increase revenues. We are doing both. With reduced funding, there is a need to generate a new source of revenue.
We're still here for you. Library continues to be open 78 hours a week.
The library staff has carefully and thoughtfully analyzed revenue options, and has affirmed its mission (Your place. Stories you want. Information you need. Connections you seek.) to serve the community with no reduction in hours of service. During tough economic times, public libraries are essential and used more than ever, supporting those who are affected by workforce reductions. We are committed to helping sustain our community by supporting the needs for information, job skill training, personal financial management and affordable entertainment.
Late fees on library materials
With an anticipated start date of October 1, 2009, library materials that are returned late will be assessed a late fee. We have not determined an amount, but it will be reasonable and in line with what other public libraries charge. The decision to implement fees is also an added value. Now library users who need to keep their books, etc. past the due date may do so, but they will pay for that extra time.
Return on time, Receive Reminders and Renew
No one has to pay late fees. We have a number of avenues to help you avoid late fees. Remember the three Rs: return on time, signup to receive reminders by email, and renew your materials online or by using our renewal hotline, 785-580-4424.
Meeting Room user fees
The library is a community gathering place and more than 8,000 meetings were held at the library in 2008. Non-profit, educational and governmental groups have used the facility at no cost. Corporate customers have always paid for their use of the library meeting rooms. The library is considering charges for equipment and stage set-ups in our meeting rooms.
Delivery of materials by mail fee
There are many ways to get library materials including receiving the materials by mail. This practice is essential to providing library materials and we have a system that works very well. The implementation of a mailing fee for this service is underway, and will be announced soon.
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I am the first to admit that I have become VERY spoiled since the TSCPL has not charged late fees in the past. I can agree that in tight times, it is reasonable to add these fees as a revenue source. It will definitely keep me more on top of what I have checked out and will be sure I renew or return on time.
That being said, I DO have major problems with implementing fees for mailing. This hits a group of people who are already struggling with living on a fixed income: the disabled and elderly. As much as I love our library, it is LARGE and has hard concrete floors. Now I will admit that so is a Super Wal-Mart or Dillons. But those places have something that I have yet to see at the library: adequate handicapped parking and a number of electric scooters to help those who need assistance getting around those large places. If you are going to implement fees for mailing materials, please consider beefing up your handicapped parking and buying several scooters. I primarily only come to the library to attend meetings (and most meeting rooms are at the front of the library, so I don’t have to walk too far) and to return books through the drive-through drop-off box. Otherwise, it is usually just too painful to try to peruse the shelves.
Thank you for your comments. I want to assure you that the library has had and will continue to have a strong commitment to library users who experience any challenges in using facilities, services or collections.
Regarding parking—We currently have 15 handicapped spaces. We will monitor their use to determine if we need additional handicapped parking.
Our Public Services staff is available to help you any time you visit the library. If you have difficulty walking and our motorized scooters or wheel chairs aren’t available, they are happy to assist you.
Also, please consider contacting our Red Carpet department,which serves customers who are physically or visually challenged and who find it difficult to visit our facilities.
If you need this service, please call 580-4545.
Again, thank you for your comments.
Thanks for your reply. My daughter mentioned the Red Carpet services, but I said that mailing would have to be less expensive than sending out someone from Red Carpet. She had a good idea - she said maybe there would be a way to flag the accounts of those who have handicapped tags and not require them to pay fees to have materials mailed.
I have found that it depends a lot on the time of day you are at the library whether or not all of the handicapped spaces are taken.
I use the mailing service and I can understand a fee being imposed. I won’t complain one bit.
Even if I had to pay the $3 to have an audio book mailed to me I didn’t have to spend $20 to buy it.
I appreciate the fact that TSCPL is giving customers fair advance notice that fees for certain services will be implemented, and I’m glad to know that hours won’t be reduced. Thank you for being upfront about the changes to come, and giving people time to adjust their habits a bit (like signing up for e-mail reminders, so we remember to renew before the due date). Hopefully, some reasonable fees will have little impact on any one customer’s wallet, but can add up to some helpful revenue for TSCPL.
The absence of late fees and mailing of materials have been very convenient, and I admit, I’m spoiled! My sister-in-law, a reference librarian for over 2o years at a Johnson County branch has marveled at our liberal policies and often attends training sessions at OUR library.
I would have preferred to pay higher taxes; however, I realize that this is unfair for many. I doubt that I will pay to have anything mailed unless it is a nominal annual fee. A pay by item basis would seem extravagant and wasteful, so I no doubt, will make a trip to the library. I have no reason I CAN’T do it. I have a question, though. I’m thinking of relocating to Kansas City but continue to work in Topeka. Will I still have library privileges?
One thing I like is being able to order books online…I may see a book review in the newspaper or magazine and want to get put on the waiting list. I remember once upon a time that when you requested a book, you had the option to pick it up, and then they all went completely to mail. Will we have the option to pick them up again? I live far from the library and find mail convenient, but if I am going to be charged I would rather have the option to pick them up at my convenience like I used to.
Library customers who use the request system may pick up their books, films, etc just as they always have. It’s always been an option, but mailing items has always been the most efficient way to get reserve materials to people. Since we will now be charging a fee for this service, we will make sure everyone realizes they have a choice. Thanks for asking! Gina Millsap, Executive Director
If you move to the Kansas City, KS area, you would still be able to have privleges at TSCPL due to our borrowing agreements with the 14 counties of the Northeast Kansas Library System. If you are on the Missouri side, there would be an annual non-resident fee of $85.00. Rob Banks, Deputy Director
What attempts has the library made at going green to save money? I see a great opportunity for the library to become a leader in eco-friendly environments while educating the public.
It would be Johnson County to which I would be locating, so I’m assuming that is covered in the 14 counties.
Here is another thought - as long as a book has not been requested by another patron, could we renew it more than 2 times online as is the limit now? I always try to bring back books that are overdue if someone has requested them, but if no one else has asked for a book, it would be nice to be able to renew it at least 3 times. If I haven’t gotten it read by then, it is doubtful that I will manage to read it.
THANKS!
P.S. Will you be having any community forums to talk about these changes and to allow the public to have some input? That would be very helpful.
Another thing in regard to mailing…I think there should be a way to check them out to the patron longer than 2 weeks. I say that because bulk mail is slow and there are time I check online and see that something has been sent to me, but often 4-5 days of my check out time are eaten up waiting on the mail.
I agree 100% with Lena. Many times I have looked online to see that there is a book checked out that is “in process” of being sent to me. It will often take a minimum of 4 days to get a book, even though it is just coming to an in-town address.
As I requested earlier, I am hoping there will be a public forum to allow library patrons to have input into the new fees.
Thanks!
As someone who does not live anywhere close to the library it would be nice if the library would hold a book that you have requested for a minimum of 7 days. That would allow one weekend to get down there to pick it up for those of us who live way out in the county.
How many books do you mail to people outside of the county? and what are the costs associated with these mailings?
I think the late charge is a great idea and long overdue. There have been many times I wanted to check out a book only to find all the copies have not been returned on or around their due date. I find that very rude and frustrating. Maybe people will start thinking of others besides themselves and return the books, etc. on time.
Mari - Johnson County is within NEKLS, so Yes you will continue to have privileges. Please be sure to change your address with us when you move.
Lee - We have been a long-time recycler and continue that practice for items that will be taken. Sometimes they stop taking our volume of things for a while, but we make every attempt to find a new resource when that happens. Actually, our Friends of the Library Book sale and Booktique are very efficient methods of recycling books and other items and have been going on for a long time now.
Within the building, we are changing to efficient light bulbs as the old ones burn-out. We evaluate and adjust heating and air conditioning to run as efficiently as possible. As landscaping is replaced we look for native or near-native species which will require less water and chemicals. We make decisions based on green choices whenever we possibly can.
My stand has always been that if I have a book which is overdue and when I try to renew it, the system shows it has been requested by another patron, I return it as soon as I can. If there is no request pending, I think it is just as safe in my hands as it is back at the library. So if you are looking for a book and can’t find it because it is overdue, I highly recommend requesting it.
Also, in regard to an earlier comment, there are only specific counties where the library has an agreement so the people in those counties may use the library as if they are SN County residents. Others are required to pay a $75 annual fee to use the library. I know because I have a friend in Emporia who has to pay.
We’ve noticed a delay between the returns we have made to Bookmobiles and other book drop locations—often several days—how will late fees be handled in situations like this?
Items returned to the remote book drop locations will be checked in using the date the item was placed in the drop. So, even if there is a delay of a day or two in actually getting the items checked in, we’ll be back dating the check in so the customer is not penalized for the delay.
Not only is this a bad idea, but it is disheartening. For those of you who do not know, the library has a 40 year (yes 40 year) tradition of not charging fines. That means through the gas shortages of the 1970’s and the economic turmoil of the 1980’s the library was able to find a way to preserve itself without charging fines. If the library could do it then, they can do it now. And let us be clear—these fees and fines are not about responsibility, equity, getting materials returned faster, or any other agenda. The library wants money, period. Ask any staff member what internal communications are saying and it all relates to how much money the library can get. That is why you will be charge $0.25 a day in fines, not $0.10. The director wants money, not a deterrent. She has spent the library into a big hole, and now need the library users to pay for her spending. She wanted a multi-thousand dollar Italian machine—that nobody wanted and has never worked properly—because it would make Topeka one of the first people to try it. She spent thousands on a teen room—a good idea—but do we really need four large, 40 inch, flat screen TVs? Wouldn’t two have been enough? Do we need three or more electronic bulletin boards—again large flat screen TVs with special computer hook-ups, again thousands of dollars? She also wrongly dropped the mill levy unnecessarily her first year as director to score political and favorability points…that was a big mistake. This is not Ames Ms. Milsap…Topeka is different. We have our own traditions and one of those is a strong commitment to the library, including no fines and fees. If you want a library like Ames, go back there. Lastly the library is moving away from its civic role in our community. It will now charge for meeting rooms, one of the last free places for any group to meet and discuss ideas. It will now charge our children fines and fees without a “read you’re fine” off program because “the library needs the money the most and a work-it-off program or read-it-off program would not be entertained as a feasible option at the present.” That’s right they are going to gouge children for money. Shame. Thank you to all the library staff who make this library what it is and for answering my questions succinctly and directly about the new fine and fee system. I encourage everyone to ask the people at the desks, not those in charge, about what is really going on. Nothing we do will change the director’s current course of action, but if we are vocal, perhaps the board will listen and make changes for us.
WOW! Sarah, you are up-front and to the point. I had NO idea that it was lack of fiscal prudence that put the library in this position. I happened to talk to a staff member who mentioned she was forgoing attending a conference which was something she had always done in the past because she felt she could not take any money away from the library right now because of the money being taken away from purchasing materials. I laughingly joked that I would have to stop requesting books be purchased and start asking for interlibrary loans instead. Hmmm . . . now, more than ever, I feel that the library needs to have a public forum so the board can hear from the public. I think a “read it off” program for children’s books make far more sense than them charging late fines. Heck, in this day and age, if ADULTS are willing to “read it off,” it isn’t such a bad idea.
So if these problems are the result of a director who has spent unwisely, I say, let us find a director who can work within a budget. Let us find other ways to raise money and save money before implementing charges.
Rebecca,
I am sure there are other factors—such as lower property values, but you only need to look at the changes and talk to staff to see that money has been thrown around willy-nilly for a while.
Also if you plan on using interlibrary loan because the library can’t get materials, think again. There will also be a fee for that. Not only will the library have less stuff, but they will charge you for interlibrary loan. Again, this is all about squeezing every nickle and dime. Plus they will be charging for mailing items.
Talk to the staff. When I go in with my kids I find that the staff is willing to talk about what is going on if you just ask. Ask questions, talk to the board, etc. There has to be a better way then breaking a long tradition that has served this community well.
How much money did the library waste on the DVD Dispenser? It always seems to be down for maintenance.
Tom - thanks for asking! We spent $45,000 for the DVD Dispenser in 2007.
This week, we’ve had problems with it - an electrical problem with the dispenser has caused it to be down some. Rest assured - our tech staff are working with the DVD Dispenser company to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Before this week, it’s been working great - it’s been up and running a good 95% of the time.
I hope this answers your question! Feel free to email me at dking@tscpl.org or call at 785-580-4601 if you have more questions about it.
- David King, Digital Branch & Services Manager
Does the library censor or delete comments? I clicked the follow-up comments box so that I could follow the conversation on this topic and have received emails that are not listed in this thread. I thought both comments were worthwhile and not inflammatory, although I disagree with the second. Why are comments removed? Can you please not remove comments from an important discussion like this one? I still have the emails if you want me to send them.
Thank you.
Sarah,
Staff are required to post comments with their name and are not allowed to post anonymously, so the first post was closed and without that, the second post was not required. It is not necessary to send the emails, for they have not been deleted, simply closed. You are free to continue commenting.
Diana Friend
Communications/Marketing Manager(785) 580-4486
I like the idea of having to pay a fine for an overdue book. I have been waiting on a book for my son for almost 2 months now and whoever is holding it has absolutely no incentive to return it. Also, a comment about the mailing serivce. I love it since there is only 1 library in this town and it is very inconvient to get to from where I live. So, I use the mailing service to keep from making long, expensive trips into town. Why doesn’t this county have any branch libraries like the rest of the country? It’s a beautiful library, but only convienent for a small group of residents (even though everyone in the county pays for it).
Lisa,
For someone who is holding a book for 2 months, I doubt fines would me much of an incentive. They are obviously not going to return it and the library has a system in place to take care of that situation.
Like you I like the mailing system, for the reasons you mentioned, which is why i am sad to see that we will be charge for this service.
Also, I do not understand what my name has to do with anything? Yes that is my name, sorry if that bugs you. I am in the telephone book and no we did not name our son John (although my husband thought it would be funny.)
Sarah,
Thank you for your comments. Interest in the library is always appreciated. We would like to clarify and correct some of your statements in post #21.
The Library has a governing Board of Trustees which sets the mill rate. The Board also approves the annual budget.
Briefly, here’s how the budget process works. An annual budget request is submitted to the Board by the executive director in consultation with library staff. The budget recommendation places a high priority on excellent customer service, being good stewards of public funds and implementation of the library’s strategic plan, The Next Decade. The library is required by Kansas statute to spend our annual budget, nor may the library overspend its budget. It may retain a small percentage of the budget to carry over into the next year. Again, this is regulated by Kansas law.
The FY2009 and FY2010 budget request are available on the library’s website.
In regard to meeting rooms, non-profit organizations will able to use meeting rooms at no charge after Jan. 1, 2010 as they always have. A $25 fee will be assessed if they wish to use the library’s audio visual equipment or staging.
I appreciate all that the library has done to make reading as easy as possible and I completely understand the need for late fees. But as to the fee for mailing…that only causes problems. I am unable to visit the library itselp and so do all my ordering online. However, I cannot afford to have these books mailed to me.
Lisa,
At the time the library became the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, the citizens of Shawnee County were asked if they wanted branches or an enhanced main library with bookmobile service into the county. At that time, the response was to enhance the main library and not build branches. There was also a financial component to that decision. The mill levy of that day would not have provided sufficient funds to operate the branches once they were built. That is why we have the one main library today.
Please remember there is bookmobile service to many places in the city and county as well as our Red Carpet and homebound services.
We recognize that mailing charges may provide concerns for some people and we welcome the opportunity to work with them to find solutions that meet their needs. Please contact our Red Carpet services at 580-4545 during library hours to explore options.
Rob Banks, Deputy Director
Maria,
Thank you for your comments. We are happy that you are using our online services. We recognize that mailing fees may create concerns in some situations. I suggest you contact our Red Carpet Services to see what solutions may be possible to meet your needs. They may be reached at 580-4545 during library hours. Thank you.
Rob Banks, Deputy Director
I think in most cases, late fees and mailing fees are a bad idea. We need to remember the demographic of the people who are primarily using our library services: the elderly, disabled, children, and impoverished families.
I have worked at libraries for over 30 years, and found late fees are more harmful than helpful at all times, for a myriad of reasons, one being human errors when something is returned but not checked back in for a few days (this has happened frequently to me at TSCPL). Late fees add a whole other workload, and often even more staff positions are needed to sort out problems. I have seen many, many frustrated library patrons who end up simply not using the library anymore, because it’s more hassle than it’s worth.
Also as someone else said before their comment was deleted: we need to remember the children, who are a main target of our library’s services! Are their parents going to continue letting them check out books once they’ve been fined a few times? No, they’re going to ban checking books out at all. How does this encourage the children to read?
Late fees are usually not motivation to return something, because the majority of people who get fined simply could not read “on time”. Instead, they’re motivation to stop reading.
I can agree with late fines on less-than-educational material like DVDs, which are notoriously hoarded and can easily be watched in a few days. But NOT on reading materials, as reading is a much slower process, especially for kids.
On service fees for mailing items: let’s remember that alot of people can’t get into the library every time something they requested is ready. The elderly, mothers with small children, college students, even people like me who live in one-car families due to financial restraints - we cannot make it in more than once every few weeks. Receiving books by mail is a HUGE motivation for continuing to read and receive educational materials! With new charges on this, the reading of many, many people is going to be cut in half or less. On top of that, mailing is such a slow process usually taking 5-7 business days to even get here, that it cuts into our time with the material. So if we’re charged late fines as well as mailing fees, you’ll see the number of people requesting things drop significantly.
Further, as a few other people pointed out and I could not agree more, we need to remember the people of Topeka and Shawnee County are also going through an economic crises, and they don’t have as much money to cushion them as public libraries do, that are *already* supported by our tax dollars. For those Topekans who are losing jobs, struggling even to make house payments during these times: how are they really going to keep on reading when the library, as well as everything else, is now going to be charging them? Sure, maybe they’ll only be a few dollars, but for someone who doesn’t have much money a few dollars is ALOT more than it is to a library. And when reading already is a dying pastime - how does this encourage people to read?
We need to remember, the library is already taking out a chunk of our paychecks each month by way of taxes. There will be many people who will not pay them more on top of that - they’ll just stop using the library.
The library has maintained a tradition of not charging fines for 40 years, through worse economic times than this. I think it is not a case of need now, but of wanting to get more money.
I very much agree with what Alice E. and Sarah C. have pointed out. Talk to the library staff.
The problem with talking to the library staff is that they are powerless to change these plans. When is the next board meeting for the library? Where does it take place? Is it open to the public? If Wal-Mart, Best Buy and other stores near 17th & Wannamaker got the city to STOP roadwork AFTER it had already begun, surely a large group of unhappy library patrons have a chance to change the decisions of the library board BEFORE they are implemented. I had no idea that my comments would stir such civic upheaval, but I am very happy that they have. There is still time to storm the Bastille - to arms, all! (Metaphorically speaking, of course!)
Oh, I meant talk to the library staff and you’ll see that a large number of them are unhappy about the new policies as well, and think they are, well, greedy. Not that they can do much to change it, unfortunately…
The post here indicates that there is a board meeting on August 13 and I would encourage everyone to write, call, and definately visit that night. On the right side I found there is a link with all of the board member’s information. It is the Board of Trustees link. Contact them before the meeting and tell them how you feel.
Alice—it is nice to get a library employees take on this that is not under the influence or heavy hand of the current director. The comment about children you mention that was taken down was from a staff member who wanted to remain anonymous. I sent an email and that is what i was told. See comments 26 and 27 were I ask. I would love to have some of the staff members I have talked to give us their opinions as they are in line with what you said Alice. Unfortuanatley with the rough economic times i can see why they would not want to risk their jobs by going against the “company line” in a public forum. I think your observations of what fines will do to children reading is spot on, particularly when the library is in a poorer area already.
Amy B. I think you comment is correct. Greed and the unwillingness to think a little bit and make hard decisions is driving this change. Who cares what it does to the community? I looked at some of the items posted by the administration and found that in their last budget brochure they actually bragged about one department head going to 31 conferences, a couple overseas. They need to charge fines and fees for services but they can send one person to 31 cushy vacations? Why do they even need that person as a department head if they were gone 31 times in a year? There is something you can trim instead of charging fees. If a department could run without a head for that long, it doesn’t need it. Again, another example of waste spending and poor decision making.
Talk to staff, get the real story, end this ridiculous idea!
Ms. Connor,
You have every right to express your opinion about the Library. You also seem to have a number of opinions and observations about me. I’m puzzled by this since I don’t think we’ve ever met or had a conversation about any of these issues.
My goal and I hope yours is real communication and understanding. I know one thing we share is that we both care about the Library.
The staff and Board of Trustees have worked together over the past several months to ensure that we would not increase taxes for library services in 2010. To achieve that we’ve had to make some tough choices.
I’m not apologizing for that. It is the right and responsible thing to do. I also realize that not eveyone has had the opportunity to review the data or participate in the complex discussions we have to understand the decisions we’ve made.
I’d like to invite you to sit down with me face-to-face to allow me to share that information and to discuss your concerns.
Here’s my contact information:
Phone: 580-4480
Email: gmillsap@tscpl.org
Note that I’m out of the office this week, but will return on August 3. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Gina Millsap, Executive Director
Alice: I’d like to correct a couple misperceptions in your comment (#34).
You mentioned “the demographic of the people who are primarily using our library services…” We actually know the demographic of the library, because we recently did a GIS study of our patrons. The reality is this: the majority of our current library patrons are adults ages 20-64, are not impoverished, and are not disabled. Certainly we do have those patrons too, and have specific services for each. But to claim those groups are the primary users of our library is inaccurate.
You claimed that “late fees are more harmful than helpful at all times…” Research on fines and fees actually shows just the opposite – that they do work, that patrons do bring materials back on time, and that people still use the library. Feel free to give me a call at 785-580-4601, or email me at dking@tscpl.org - I’d love to share more about that with you.
You also mentioned the people using our mailing services. Currently, the primary users of our mailing service are adults who are able to get to the library – they simply choose to use our mailing service. The reality is this: we haven’t been able to expand the service because of rising postage costs. Implementing a recovery fee will allow us to market and expand our mailing service for the first time. Also see comment #33 – Rob explains that we already have other similar services in place for the elderly.
Finally, you said “the library is already taking out a chunk of our paychecks each month by way of taxes.” This is inaccurate. We receive a percentage of personal property tax. The city/county charges that annually – nothing comes out of your monthly paycheck.
David King, Digital Branch & Services Manager
Sarah: you mentioned “one department head going to 31 conferences, a couple overseas…” That was me. I’d like to correct some misperceptions in your comment.
Our Annual Report incorrectly said “31 conferences.” It was actually 31 presentations at 19 different events. Of those:
- 3 were partially paid for by the library. Since I presented while attending, 2 of the conferences comped my registration and hotel fees - so by presenting, I actually saved the library money.
- 6 presentations were held here at the library - 3 were webcasts for professional organizations, 2 were for a regional library association that met at the library, and 1 was for a local Topeka organization - all at no cost to the library.
- the remaining 10 the library did not pay for. I took vacation days to attend those, and other organizations were responsible for funding. Again, the library paid nothing for those.
Your comment is a great example of not knowing the whole story - we’d love for you to call, email or come visit to get the facts!
David King, Digital Branch & Services Manager
The services provided by this libaray are supported by our property tax dollars. As a result, we should be able give our input to any changes the library makes. Will we have the opportunity to attend a public forum or is the board meeting and this blog our only chance to voice our concerns? How do we know our concerns are being taken seriously? It sounds to me like the powers at be have not taken the time to really think through the consequences of imposing these fines and charges. It’s a real shame because these new charges will prevent so many people from being able to read as often.
I love the fact that I can get materials by mail. I have noticed however that I often check out books/movies and receive them in individual envelopes, very rarely have they been packaged together. Would it save money to consolidate the packaging of these materials?
Sabra – That’s a great question and, yes, packaging items together can save postage and whenever possible we attempt to put multiple items together when we’re mailing to customers. However, most often the item you’ve requested is going to be checked out by another customer. Since we can’t know exactly when another item you’ve requested will be returned and checked in bundling items together is problematic. So, to minimize your wait time, therefore, we’re going to go ahead and process your request when we get it rather than trying to hold on to it in the off chance that another item might come through that same day.
Paul Brennan, Collections Manager
Thanks for the response. That’s totally understandable, but last week I checked out 5 DVD’s (all of which were checked in) and got 5 packages spread out over a few days. Maybe an easy process change that could save a little money.
Thanks!
I too have ordered several items, all checked and received them packaged individually. Of course this would save money but then they wouldn’t have any excuse to charge fees.
As for Posts 19 and 20: I live in the county 7 days is the average time from the day the drop box is picked up by the library and the time my materials are actually checked back in. It has been as short as 4 days and as long as 10 days. How will the library know exactly what date each item was placed in the drop box? The drop box nearest me is only picked up twice a week.
Sabra – We always are looking for ways to improve processes. Over the years we’ve successfully identified ways to reduce our postage costs per package. Those include using software that allows us to take advantage of pre-sort rates from the Post Office. However the volume of mailing has continued to grow year after year. Be assured, finding more efficient methods of handling our mailing process continues to be a high priority. Thank you for sharing your experience with the library.
Paul Brennan, Collections Manager
Wow! Is it just me or does David Lee King come across as The Sarcastic Library Nazi?
Hi all - I just emailed Sara. Very cool that so many of you want to share your thoughts with us. Please feel free to continue!
But I’d also like to remind you to stick to the topic at hand, and to play nice (i.e., no calling people “sarcastic library nazis,” etc, though that one does win giggle points for creativity).
Please remember this is a public forum - your friends, neighbors, and bosses might be reading along, too.
- David King, Digital Branch & Services Manager
Lettie – Let me explain in more detail my response in post #20. There is, unavoidably, some delay between the time an item is picked up from a remote book drop and the time it is ultimately checked in at the library. With that in mind we want to assure everyone that they can continue to use these drops as a reliable delivery method to return library materials. Our library software system allows us to backdate for purposes of check in. We will backdate all library materials from individual book drops to the date we last emptied that drop. This will ensure that customers are not charged fees due to any delay on our end in getting materials picked up, delivered, and checked in.
Paul Brennan, Collections Manager
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Diana
Communications & Marketing
Manager





Based on 65 Ratings