Re: TAR: posting library rules

[sbrisco <sbrisco021@CHARTER.NET>]

One of the things I've tried doing is writing the rules down first.  Even if
they sound
harsh, just go ahead and state your rules on paper.  For example:

   1.  Books will be checked out for a period of two weeks.
   2.  Books will only be renewed for one week.
   3.  Students will be fined daily for any overdue materials.
   4.  Books must be placed in the "book return."


Then reword them in a positive manner:

  1.  Students "may check out books" for a period of two weeks.  (or--
Students "are allowed to
       check out materials" for two weeks at a time.)
  2.  Students "are allowed to renew books" for a period of one additional
week.
  3.  "Overdue books will accrue fines" of .10 cents per day. -- (notice
that the student is not
            "attacked" in this statement...just the books.)
  4.  Students "may return books throughout the day" to the "book return."

Rewording those strong "musts" and "wills," to "may" or "are allowed" give a
more positive
approach to the negative rules that we have all tried to avoid.

If you need more help, let me know.  We had to do this in my library
administration course and I loved some of the examples that we had to
change.

~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Kotsch" <FJCL1@AOL.COM>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 8:21 PM
Subject: TAR: posting library rules


> I am trying to reword my library rules on checkouts, renewals, overdues,
> etc.,  and I think it's sounding too negative.  I want to make it clear
what the
> rules are, but in a positive manner.  Do some of you have useful phrases
to
> share?
>
> Muchos gracias!
>
> Carol Kotsch
> Librarian
> St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
> Wichita Ks
> fjcl1@aol.com
>
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