Remember those stickers on VHS tapes that you rented from the video store in the '80s? The ones that said, "Be kind. Please rewind."? Many times I brought home a video only to have my gratification delayed because the last person who had the tape didn't rewind it to the beginning. Nowadays, we may no longer have to wait until a tape rewinds in order to watch a movie, but in the library, we still have to wait for overdue items to be returned before others can enjoy them.
It recently occurred to me that it's been over 6 years since
I last wrote about overdue library items, so I figured now is as good a time as any to revisit the subject.
I'm sure we've all been there--we want to check out a book or other item, but when we go to the library we find that someone already checked it out. That's to be expected sometimes, especially with newer and popular items. We occasionally have to wait until the person who has the item returns it. However, when the person who has it doesn't return it until 3 months or even 3 years later, so many people are missing out on using and enjoying the item.
The whole purpose of a library is so people can
borrow items without having to purchase them. It's not about hording items all to yourself and keeping them away from others. Libraries are in the business of being kind to our patrons, and we also depend on our patrons being kind to each other by taking care of items and returning them by their due dates.
Please keep in mind that the library is for all of us to enjoy. Pay attention to the due dates on items and bring them back on time--we all appreciate it!
Considerately yours from the perch.
