[Access-ip] Deliberate mishelving of books?

[Emily Batista]

Hi, Bart.

Yes, we've seen this happen off and on over the years. People hide books 
behind other books, place them on the lowest shelf "hidden" between the 
back-to-back shelving, shelf them in the wrong row, etc. It's really 
hard to prevent with our stacks arrangement, since it's hard to see 
patrons unless you happen to be working in the same aisle. We find the 
hidden/misshelved books when we shift especially, and during 
shelf-reading and routine reshelving, depending on where the patron has 
hidden their stuff. It's hard to fathom, considering that we have no 
limits on the number of items a patron can check out, generous loan 
periods, unlimited renewals unless the item is recalled, courtesy email 
notices prior to the due date, a overdue notice the date after the due 
date, and a lengthy grace period, not to mention carrels that students 
can check books to for an entire year. Are the students hiding books to 
prevent others from using them? Are they lazy and don't want to carry 
them to the circ desk? Are they just spiteful? I sure don't understand 
the motivation.

Emily Batista
University of Pennsylvania

Hollingsworth, Bart wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> Not sure if this is a real phenomena or an unfortunate set of
> coincidences, but our stacks folks are noticing what appear to be
> deliberate reshuffling and mishelving of books in the stacks.  This is
> not being done by library staff or student assistants but patrons.  I'm
> talking about sections of books found in the wrong area, stacked books
> on the floor etc.,
>
> Anyone had this happen?  Thoughts on how to address?
>
> -Bart
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Bart Hollingsworth
> Head of Circulation and Resource Sharing
> Brown University -- Rockefeller Library 
> 401-863-2169
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