What is EXCESSIVE? -Reply

[Wayne Owen]

>>> Betty Murr <bmu...@mail.win.org> 04/01/97 05:14pm >>>
I would like to hear from Public Libraries about their policies on the
following:
1. Is there a limit on the number of materials that can be checked out by
one person on a library card? We limit patrons to 20 items per card.
Families can have more than one card so they can still bring up more
than 20 items.
2. Do you have a limit on the number of "reserve requests" that can be
placed by a card holder at one time? We limit patrons to 5 reserve
requests at a time
3> Do you have a limit on the number of items you will ILL for a person at
one time? We normally do not limit ILL's but we normally don't have more
than 3 ILL's at a time. We did have one patron request 7 once and we
indicated to her that we felt she was exceeding reasonable limits.

We are faced with customers wanting to place "requests" for 30-40
items at a time. These can be placed by the person through our OPACs.
What we have found is that many times at least half of the items are in at
the time the request is placed. That we will address separately.
However, I feel that 30-40 reserves at one time becomes excessive for
our staff to handle. What do you think? I would like to hear what other
public libraries do to curtail this. Thanks.
We placed the limit to quash similar problems. Patrons must place any
holds over five by themselves. It has worked well for us. Since patrons
can place their own holds and the system will not let them put a hold on
an item that is in it tends to be self correcting. Patrons did complain
when the new system went into effect especially our most notorious
abusers. They later toned down their vehemence and their requests.
We still get plenty of holds for them but they now like the new system.