Every so often I have to perform the necessary and tiresome
task of manually going through all the catalogue cards in order to see which library
materials have been out for an excessively long time. I only do this about
twice a year and it’s usually done because I’ve received a complaint that
so-and-so has had a popular DVD or novel for quite a while. So I dutifully go
through the cards and record all the dates and names. I only send notices for
materials have been out for more than four months. Since it’s an honour-based
system and we don’t charge late fees, I always figure that this is acceptable.
Well folk, turns out that sometimes….it’s not.
I have edited the overdue notice I place in the church
mailboxes a number of times. Each time I hope it makes the note a little more
friendly and a little less threatening. At the moment it reads:
“Just a reminder….
(blank) took out (blank) by (blank) on (blank). Please return these
materials when you can and remember to check out the library’s new books and
DVDs!”
I also added a note at the bottom:
“*Note* If you have returned this item please make a note of
it on this form and return it to the library mailbox. Thank you!”
I happen to think this a very nice reminder. Most of the
responses are quite congenial, ranging from profuse apologies that they hadn’t
returned the materials sooner to a simple happy face and “thanks!” written in
the corner. There is always, of course, the opposite end of the spectrum. I
have received, on numerous occasions, entire letters of both explanation and
accusation. In the former, the writer will use a thesaurus of words to explain
their moment-by-moment interaction with the missing material, accompanied by an
excessive amount of fierce underlining and exclamation marks with the
conclusion that they no longer have it in their possession. In the latter, the
writer is often annoyed and feels insulted that I have, in a way, accused them
of stealing. This is, of course, also supplemented with a healthy measure of
underlining, punctuation and capitilized
comments such as “I have NEVER returned a book late.” This is fairly annoying
as it always makes more work for me. I then feel obligated to sit down and
write a letter back in a very friendly-looking note card assuring them of my
faith in their honesty, credibility and excellent returning ethics.
Every time this happens I look at my Return Notice. Perhaps
there are too many exclamation points? Should I keep to the K.I.S.S. principle
and send a slip of paper that says, “Please return (title)” ? Or maybe I should
just put a disclaimer at the bottom: “This reminder notice should not be viewed
as a personal attack or taken as a personal insult.” That should raise some
eyebrows! Overall, I know that I just have to keep things in perspective and,
above all, keep repeating Ephesians 4:2 over and over and over again!
