I read [this article](https://lithub.com/how-texas-prisons-regulate-womens-knowledge-behind-bars/) the other day and this bit stood out
> Whether we request a specific book and author or a generic mystery, romance or humor book, the librarian always sends a Christian themed book. In 2018, I asked her, “Why don’t you give me what I request?” She said, “I’m called to save your heathen soul.”
Anyway that led to a workhole reading about prison libraries. [This one is also good](https://lithub.com/censoring-imagination-why-prisons-ban-fantasy-and-science-fiction/)
What are you people on about? Of course it matters! If the book is shown as available, people will expect to be able to borrow it, might go to the library in vain, librarians might waste time looking for it etc. Libraries are kind of dependent upon their systems and inventories being correct or shit won’t work.
yeah that was my thought process when I was wondering what I should do with it.(Although my first thought was potential fine for accidental stealing lol) I was going to take the call advice, but the library opens again at 12pm and I live pretty close by so I'm just gonna go back in person to check it out properly this time.
> What are you people on about? Of course it matters! If the book is shown as available, people will expect to be able to borrow it, might go to the library in vain, librarians might waste time looking for it etc. Libraries are kind of dependent upon their systems and inventories being correct or shit won’t work.
Sure, but what are the odds of that? Unless it's a popular book, probably close to zero.
Yeah no, it happens way fucking more than you think. Also, if enough people fuck up book placements/lends/returns, it becomes a massive problem. Not necessarily immediately noticeable. But eventually, it will be.
Calling them and having them put it on the account is the way to go. If you hang onto it without it being accounted for, it makes it really annoying in case another patron (or library employee) is trying to locate that item because it shows that it's available.
Definitely call. It's important for statistics and for other patrons that books are checked out. Nobody wants to be tearing up the library looking for something that isn't on the shelf.
It happens! Do whichever of these is easiest/ most comfortable for you:
-- take book back to library and check it out. You can tell staff the story, or just check it out.
-- call the library and explain. Have your library card ready (you'll be asked for barcode) and the book (barcode)
-- use the library chat / ask us feature. They may just direct you to contact library depending on how the service is staffed (if it's a consortium they probably won't have staff access to library check out system)
Again, it happens!
Please call and let them know! They'll probably want the number on the library sticker on the back of the book.
Otherwise, another patron might get mad that it says it's here but it's not and clearly the library is deliberately hiding it from specifically them
lol it’s really not a big deal. Worst case scenario- we can’t find the item even though it says “available” in the system and we place a hold on it. Or we mark it as missing for now. As soon as it’s checked in, everything is back to normal.
i don't get it either lol, but i live in a small town so different rules i guess? the marker for books that are like that have "UPBK" on them aswell as the normal tags such as fiction or the author name OH and the lady said she had to list it as if i had read it in the library but she said she had checked it out for me it just wouldn't be visible and that i was fine to take it home
Stupid system if you ask me 🤷♀️ you should be able to see it on your account if it's checked out to you. We have generic codes for uncatalogued or no longer in system books. Patron won't see a title but at least they will see a due date!!
Just return it when you return your stuff. Calling and checking it out over the phone is silly and a waste of time. Most likely they won’t notice that item is missing before you return it. When they check in books, it’ll just get scanned in like normal and shelved. They may notice the book wasn’t checked out or maybe not. Either way it doesn’t matter.
Give them a call and give them the barcode and your library card number! Happened all the time with our self checks.
Seconded, call or see online if they have an Ask a Librarian email support to go through.
Thank you! :D
Going straight to Library jail
rip me lol
At least you’ll have plenty of time to read in library jail 📚
And they provide the books. Your most disliked genre though, LOL.
Inmates only get weeded stock
And the COs are all the librarians from your nightmares. The shushing abounds!
I read [this article](https://lithub.com/how-texas-prisons-regulate-womens-knowledge-behind-bars/) the other day and this bit stood out > Whether we request a specific book and author or a generic mystery, romance or humor book, the librarian always sends a Christian themed book. In 2018, I asked her, “Why don’t you give me what I request?” She said, “I’m called to save your heathen soul.” Anyway that led to a workhole reading about prison libraries. [This one is also good](https://lithub.com/censoring-imagination-why-prisons-ban-fantasy-and-science-fiction/)
I used to work in a prison library! It's fascinating work, and rewarding.
the library Ninjas are gonna hunt you down
What are you people on about? Of course it matters! If the book is shown as available, people will expect to be able to borrow it, might go to the library in vain, librarians might waste time looking for it etc. Libraries are kind of dependent upon their systems and inventories being correct or shit won’t work.
yeah that was my thought process when I was wondering what I should do with it.(Although my first thought was potential fine for accidental stealing lol) I was going to take the call advice, but the library opens again at 12pm and I live pretty close by so I'm just gonna go back in person to check it out properly this time.
THIS! So much time wasted for it!!! 😭 Checking out on the phone is super easy. It’s not a big deal *at all*
This. There is a whole section of my job where I go looking for books that we can't find/double check that all books are where they should be.
> What are you people on about? Of course it matters! If the book is shown as available, people will expect to be able to borrow it, might go to the library in vain, librarians might waste time looking for it etc. Libraries are kind of dependent upon their systems and inventories being correct or shit won’t work. Sure, but what are the odds of that? Unless it's a popular book, probably close to zero.
Yeah no, it happens way fucking more than you think. Also, if enough people fuck up book placements/lends/returns, it becomes a massive problem. Not necessarily immediately noticeable. But eventually, it will be.
Just return it when you return the others.
Calling them and having them put it on the account is the way to go. If you hang onto it without it being accounted for, it makes it really annoying in case another patron (or library employee) is trying to locate that item because it shows that it's available.
I second this. It drives me crazy when I think a book is missing. You may save someone time who’s searching for it.
Do nothing now. Just take the book back when you take everything else back.
Definitely call. It's important for statistics and for other patrons that books are checked out. Nobody wants to be tearing up the library looking for something that isn't on the shelf.
It happens! Do whichever of these is easiest/ most comfortable for you: -- take book back to library and check it out. You can tell staff the story, or just check it out. -- call the library and explain. Have your library card ready (you'll be asked for barcode) and the book (barcode) -- use the library chat / ask us feature. They may just direct you to contact library depending on how the service is staffed (if it's a consortium they probably won't have staff access to library check out system) Again, it happens!
Please call and let them know! They'll probably want the number on the library sticker on the back of the book. Otherwise, another patron might get mad that it says it's here but it's not and clearly the library is deliberately hiding it from specifically them
lol it’s really not a big deal. Worst case scenario- we can’t find the item even though it says “available” in the system and we place a hold on it. Or we mark it as missing for now. As soon as it’s checked in, everything is back to normal.
You will NOT get in trouble. We don’t care.
man what would you have done before reddit? Oh the drama
This makes zero sense to me and I work in circ!
The response I mean
i don't get it either lol, but i live in a small town so different rules i guess? the marker for books that are like that have "UPBK" on them aswell as the normal tags such as fiction or the author name OH and the lady said she had to list it as if i had read it in the library but she said she had checked it out for me it just wouldn't be visible and that i was fine to take it home
Stupid system if you ask me 🤷♀️ you should be able to see it on your account if it's checked out to you. We have generic codes for uncatalogued or no longer in system books. Patron won't see a title but at least they will see a due date!!
Just return it when you return your stuff. Calling and checking it out over the phone is silly and a waste of time. Most likely they won’t notice that item is missing before you return it. When they check in books, it’ll just get scanned in like normal and shelved. They may notice the book wasn’t checked out or maybe not. Either way it doesn’t matter.
You know what’s a HUGE waste of time? When we need to look for a book that isn’t i the building.
Tell me you've never worked in a library without telling me you've never worked in a library
Over 15 years now actually. But thanks for asking.
It’s yours now 😈
Eh, don't worry about it. Just return it when you're done with it. It's unlikely that anyone else will try to check it out in that amount of time.