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FROM: Marilyn Boatright <[removed]@pacbell.net>
REC'D: 5/19/02, 2:33 AM
I'm troubled by the action of one of the circulation staff where I work
part-time. The staff person said his "client" would be coming in soon.
The staff person spent more than an hour with the "client," then
introduced me to her, and said he would be showing her how to use the
OPAC, but she (the client) may want to talk with me also. Normally we
each take 1/2 hour for lunch, so was doing his own business on library
time, using library resources.I may be way off base, but I learned in library school that the mission
of a public library is to provide information and to teach patrons how
to use the resources. Should a circulation staff person be charging
money to do research for patrons? Shouldn't he refer research questions
to the reference librarian, rather than charging the patron to do the
research?
This seems very wrong to me. I'd love to get other opinions on the
issue. I'd rather not sign my name at this point, in case I am way off
base, and this is considered acceptable behavior.
FROM: al po <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/19/02, 6:58 AM
Where I work circulation staff guides our customers to
the reference area for any instructional wants/needs
the customer may have. Reference staff does not
charge out materials. This sounds like a very unique
situation. I may want to speak with the staff member
along with the branch manager and establish some
guidelines.
--- Marilyn Boatright <[removed]@pacbell.net> wrote:
> I'm troubled by the action of one of the circulation
> staff where I work
> part-time. The staff person said his "client" would
> be coming in soon.
> The staff person spent more than an hour with the
> "client," then
> introduced me to her, and said he would be showing
> her how to use the
> OPAC, but she (the client) may want to talk with me
> also. Normally we
> each take 1/2 hour for lunch, so was doing his own
> business on library
> time, using library resources.
>
> I may be way off base, but I learned in library
> school that the mission
> of a public library is to provide information and to
> teach patrons how
> to use the resources. Should a circulation staff
> person be charging
> money to do research for patrons? Shouldn't he refer
> research questions
> to the reference librarian, rather than charging the
> patron to do the
> research?
>
> This seems very wrong to me. I'd love to get other
> opinions on the
> issue. I'd rather not sign my name at this point, in
> case I am way off
> base, and this is considered acceptable behavior.
>
>
>
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FROM: EWILKINSON <[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 5/20/02, 8:37 AM
You bet your bippy it's unethical. Conducting a second business on company
time is grounds for dismissal in some businesses. When the second business
is charging patrons for reference work in a public library is not only
unethical, it is reprehensible, no matter who does it. If I were branch
manager I would immediately can the person. If this were against policy, I
would deliver a severe reprimand, written as well as verbal. For such a
thing to go on in the public library is totally anathema to their purpose. Elaine Wilkinson
Public Services Librarian I
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Maple Heights Regional
"Never apologize for your reading tastes."
Rosenberg
FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/20/02, 8:48 AM
It sure sounds unethical to me. I can't think of any public or private
agency that permits staff to run a side business on company time. The
supervisor needs to take this person aside and deliver a stern reprimand,
one that is entered into the disciplinary record. If this person is running
a research and library assistance business on the side he or she needs to be
doing it off the clock. Worse, if this person is charging a patron for
reference and OPAC services that the library offers free to all comers, it
sounds like something a lot worse than unethical--bad as that is.........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)
"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac
-----Original Message-----
From: Marilyn Boatright [[removed]@pacbell.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 3:47 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: is this ethical?
I'm troubled by the action of one of the circulation staff where I work
part-time. The staff person said his "client" would be coming in soon.
The staff person spent more than an hour with the "client," then
introduced me to her, and said he would be showing her how to use the
OPAC, but she (the client) may want to talk with me also. Normally we
each take 1/2 hour for lunch, so was doing his own business on library
time, using library resources.
I may be way off base, but I learned in library school that the mission
of a public library is to provide information and to teach patrons how
to use the resources. Should a circulation staff person be charging
money to do research for patrons? Shouldn't he refer research questions
to the reference librarian, rather than charging the patron to do the
research?
This seems very wrong to me. I'd love to get other opinions on the
issue. I'd rather not sign my name at this point, in case I am way off
base, and this is considered acceptable behavior.
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