June 2004

Debt collectors go after overdue books is a USAToday.com piece sent in by Charley Hively on the growing number of publics turning to stronger tactics to track down overdue material. Ignore the traditional overdue notice, and you may hear from a debt-collection agency.
Many libraries across the country are resorting to the tactic — with surprising success. Unique Management Services, a collection agency based in Jeffersonville, Ind., says nearly 600 libraries now use its services to locate tardy materials. About 70% of the people respond when contacted by the company, says Kenes Bowling, manager of customer development. [Link fixed]

Fang-Face writes “There is an article posted to commondreams.org which is another look at the impact of USAPA on libraries. I mention it mostly because it tends to center around the tired old stereotype; as you can see from the title about “shushing”. Still, it’s not a badly done piece. Best quote:

“We’re socialized to throw our bodies over library records,” she said. “I can’t tell you the amount of time I have spent with my staff going over: ‘If someone is taking out a book on hemorrhoids, you don’t say Preparation H worked for me.’ If someone is taking out a book on divorce, you don’t gossip about that. It’s really a very sacred part of our professional training.”
–Barbara Powell, director of the Concord Free Public Library, Concord, Mass.

And in defense of USAPA:

“I mean, you can subpoena my bank records, my medical records, my telephone records. It’s done every day in America by the thousands, every day,” Sessions said. “To say you can’t subpoena whether you’ve checked out a book on bomb-making from the library to me is breathtaking in its lack of understanding of the way the criminal justice system works.”
–Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Republican

And finally:

“I’m about as mainstream, middle of the road as it gets. I mean, look at me – I’m not fringe. But we’re not just sweet Marian the Librarian. We do have a backbone and we are willing to take a stand.”
–“Anthony”, head librarian, Skokie

. . . in challenge to the stereotype.“

Note from Bill Drew:
Important information to have. Still wish search engine would identify himself/herself by name and real identity.

 http:://search-engines-web.com/ writes “

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1616979,00.as p

“

David Rothman writes “Stung by the Gemstar debacle, tech-hip librarians and others have begged the e-book industry for an end to the Tower of eBabel–for true standards. That would be good for libraries, readers and the industry alike. The OpenReader Consortium, which would build on existing production-level standards of the Open eBook Forum, is an initiative to bring order to a chaotic, underperforming industry whose global sales are now a pathetic $20-$30 million a year (disclosure: I’m an OpenReader founder). As a Newsweek article shows in chronicling the story of the DVD, which led to a $9-billion-plus business, standards can make a vast difference. More at TeleRead.”

Jenne writes “The Webb City, Missouri public library is looking for ways to attract more teens and seniors when the library moves into its newly renovated space at the end of the year. Unfortunately, the article ends with the news that the library will cost more to operate and will probably have to shorten its hours.”

Dave Barry has written a blockbuster novel. Dave Barry’s Latest Column inspired by “The DaVinci Code” by Dan Brown, which has sold 253 trillion copies in hardcover because it’s such a compelling page-turner. He says nobody can put this book down.

“The key to “The DaVinci Code” is that it’s filled with startling plot twists, and almost every chapter ends with a “cliffhanger,” so you have to keep reading to see what will happen. Using this formula, I wrote the following blockbuster novel, titled “The Constitution Conundrum.” It’s fairly short now, but when I get a huge publishing contract, I’ll flesh it out to 100,000 words by adding sentences. “

Here’s one from the BBC about a series of
one-day walkouts taking place by library staff in Kent (UK). The issue is over the County’s plan to restructure library services, a move intended to improve the library’s effriciency. The most recent strike was suspended as managers postponed the first stage of restructuring. It’s not over yet though. According to their union spokesman, the strikes will continue into July if it’s not resolved. Read More.

Here’s an op-ed piece about the recent case involving a library patron who was seen fondling himself while looking at porn on the Internet. After complaints frmo patrons, the library staff contacted authorities. By the time they arrived, the man had disappeared. The police wanted immediate access to the information necessary to identify the patron. The library staff refused to hand it over, prompting the police to obtain a court order. The Illinois Attorney General may be forced to review whether a 1983 library confidentiality law impedes quick access to library information in a criminal case. Read More.

If you’ve ever been ripped off by an auto repair shop, you’ll want to check this out and pass it along to patrons…

“Having been taken to the cleaners to the tune of $2,300 by disreputable auto repair shops, Mike Smith of West Fargo, ND decided to put the power of the Web to work for others who may have had similar experiences.”

The new Web-based Virtual Auto Mechanic http://www.vamech.com video library takes consumers inside an auto repair shop to educate them on automotive parts, maintenance and repairs. Consumers learn about specific parts and repair issues for themselves; enabling them to make educated decisions before authorizing any repair work.” Read All About It.

Here’s a good article about a group of 50 college librarians who got together in Orlando at ALA’s annual convention to talk about how to protect patron privacy while still helping to preserve national security. Read More.