[Michlib-l] Coupon Exchange Etiquette

[Mike Evans]

Set this sign out Monday morning and remove it after she leaves:

"In order to provide greater opportunity to all library patrons each patron is limited to "x" coupons per day.  We apologize for any inconvenience."

Michael Evans
Community Outreach Coordinator
Hastings Public Library
227 E State St
Hastings, MI 49058
269-945-4263


-----Original Message-----
From: michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Erin Schmändt
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 10:25 AM
To: wp-discuss-l at vlc.lib.mi.us; michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Coupon Exchange Etiquette

(Please excuse cross postings)

Hoping for suggestions on a particular situation.  We have hosted a coupon exchange at the library for years, possibly decades.  We have a table with several boxes where people can donate their unused coupons, go through the ones that have been donated and also donated out of date coupons for the military. We also add all the coupons that come in the papers the library subscribes to, and often, residents drop envelopes of unused coupons in the drop box. Recently, we have had several people waiting in line when we open on Monday morning to get to the coupons first.  One woman, if she is the first through the door, will grab the entire stack of fresh weekend coupons, stuff them in her bag and take off.  The other patrons who were waiting are quite angry about this.  We've offered this casual service for years and this is the first problem we've had.  Does anyone else offer this service? Do you have a suggestion on how to offer the Monday morning coupons equitably?
Erin Schmändt, MLIS
Library Director
River Rapids District Library
227 E. Broad Street
Chesaning, MI 48616
(989) 845-3211
e.schmandt at vlc.lib.mi.us


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