<div>We only allow the thieves to bring backpacks. That way, we know exactly who they are. </div><div><br></div><div>Actually, we were going through a period where we discovered several documents missing from our Local History Room, which was problematic because many of the resources in that room are irreplaceable. We do lock the room and open it for those who sign in to use the room. To combat the problem of missing documents, we gave patrons the option of leaving their bags with us behind the desk, or we allowed them to take their bags, but only if they were willing to allow us to search them. Most people had no problem with this when we explained why we were doing it, although there were a few people who weren't happy about it. It did seem to eliminate the problem, and we no longer have this procedure. </div>
<div><br></div><div>There really isn't a good answer to this question. With the exception of the Local History Room, I take solace in the fact that most popular materials aren't particularly costly, and, since we are a member of SEO, aren't even on the shelves when they are at the peak of their popularity. A certain amount of theft is simply the price of doing business. You have to ask yourself if the amount of theft taking place is really worth alienating the 98% of your patrons who act according to your rules and placing additional responsibility on the staff. In the Local History Room case that I mentioned, we did, but that is rather unusual for me. You can't out-policy the 2% who are always looking to take advantage of you. The best you can hope for is to minimize their impact on your library. </div>
<div><br></div><div>Best of luck-</div><div>Eric</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>-- <br>Eric D. Taggart, Director<br>Coshocton Public Library<br>655 Main Street<br>Coshocton, Ohio 43812<br>Phone: 740.622.0956<br>
Fax: 740.622.4331<br><a href="http://coshoctonlibrary.org">coshoctonlibrary.org</a>
</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 1:26 PM, Shelley Bylica <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:bylicash@oplin.org">bylicash@oplin.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div><p class="MsoNormal">We are wondering whether other libraries have policies regarding backpacks in the library. We have a few staff members who suspect that allowing people to have large bags in the library contributes to theft. However, we also do not want to get the image that we have inhospitable policies for people who actually use the library for proper study (i.e. students). Any advice and/or copies of policies would be greatly appreciated. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Shelley B. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Shelley Bylica<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Public Services Librarian<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Marvin Memorial Library<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">29 W. Whitney Ave.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Shelby, OH 44875<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="tel:419-347-5576%20ext.%201" value="+14193475576" target="_blank">419-347-5576 ext. 1</a><u></u><u></u></p>
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