Check That: Libraries Will Return To Hand-Stamping Patron Complaints Drown Out Clerks’ Carpal Tunnel Fears

The Spokane public library has discovered modern ways aren’t always better.

In April, the traditional rhythmic stamping of due dates on the back of library books will return.

A yearlong test of giving return-date receipts instead of stamping each book was a flop with forgetful library patrons who tended to lose the receipts and then have no idea when the books were due.

At about the same time, the library started cracking down on patrons who were long overdue in paying fines, turning the worst offenders over to a collection agency.

Library officials don’t know if over-due books increased when the hand-stamping ended, but they do know that complaints went up.

Some customers even suggested the new system was a way of raising more money through fines for the overdue books.

“I hadn’t even thought about that, if you can imagine,” said Aubrey George, library director.

Actually, the number of fines has decreased in the past year.

“But that could be because not as many people are checking out books,” said George.

He said hand-stamping books was discontinued last year to shorten the wait for customers standing in line and to reduce the risk of repetitive-motion injuries among clerks.

Librarians and circulation clerks invented all kinds of ways to help customers remember when their books were due. They tucked the date-stamped receipts inside the books, handed out calendar book marks, offered account information on the telephone and on the Internet.

“We’ll be one of the biggest library systems around that still hand-stamps,” said Paul Coffey, a library clerk.

Some Spokane library patrons say they are growing frustrated trying to keep track of their books. It’s especially difficult for customers who visit the library several times a week, or check out books for the entire family.

Jill Branch, paying a fine on an overdue book at the downtown library Monday, was glad to hear about the switch back to hand-stamping.

“Or at least they could leave the stamp out here so you can stamp your own books,” she said.

George said the goal is to make library patrons happy.

“Our focus is customer service,” he said. “This didn’t seem to be working as well as we thought it would.”