[Access-ip] Deliberate mishelving of books?

[Joanne Leary]

Bart,
Yes, we have seen this on and off over the years.  In our case, at least 
one reason for this behavior was to prevent the staff from picking up and 
reshelving books that were left in the carrels (we did not have assigned 
carrels, so anything left unattended was reshelved).  There was also some 
hoarding/competition motivation in some instances, as many of the stashed 
items were high-demand books referenced in courses (but not placed on 
reserve).

Long ago, one of our student assistants was so incensed by this dastardly 
behavior that he left a sign posted to the area where a stash was 
located.  The wording on the sign was something like "We are onto you, and 
when we catch you your ass will be in a sling."  The sign was taken down 
but I had to laugh at his Mafia-like directness.

What to do about it?  Not sure, other than having more of a staff presence 
in the stacks (including student assistants doing stacks work), and being 
proactive about identifying high-temptation items and placing them on 
reserve, if that's an option.

- Joanne

At 12:49 PM 11/20/2008, 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
>_______________________________________________
>access-ip mailing list
>access-ip at lists.lib.uchicago.edu
>http://lists.lib.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/access-ip


  ------------------------- JL41 at cornell.edu --------------------------
  Joanne Leary
  Access and Operations Manager
  Engineering /Mathematics/Physical Sciences/Veterinary Libraries
  Malott Hall
  Cornell University
  Ithaca, NY  14853
  Phone: (607) 255-5936
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