[Michlib-l] Ambassador Books

[Les Cheneaux Community Library]

I had a similar experience.  The local school had been supporting this and
then stopped because of lack of use of the books and the misleading of the
local businesses.  We took it on because of the sales ability of the man,(
Steve Bujaki), and he told me that the businesses were behind it.  After
talking to some of the business owners, I found out he was telling them that
the library was in favor of the program.  Four years ago I told the salesman
that I didn't want to continue the program and to please stop.  He said that
he had already been sponsored by the local businesses and that the books
were good for two years.  I told him we would distribute the books for the
next two years but we weren't going to continue after that.  I let the
businesses know that it felt shady to me and that we were not going to
renew. He came back in the fall of 2015 and solicited other businesses and
didn't come and speak to me.  A box of books was delivered to us a few
months later, and I refused the shipment.  I called the company and had a
conversation with David Moore, vice-president.  Ambassador did not authorize
this type of salesmanship and were very happy that I had notified them. ( At
least that was the story that I was given.)  I let them know that I was very
unhappy that our local businesses had been misled and it needed to be
addressed.  The gentleman I spoke to said he would make sure the businesses
were notified and compensated.  I haven't had any contact since, and haven't
heard of the man being in the area again.  

 

Hope this helps in some small way.

 

Jane French

Les Cheneaux Community Library - zv366

an affiliate of Superior District Library

P.O. Box 99

75 Hodeck St.

Cedarville, MI  49745

 

Phone/Fax: 906-484-3547 

 <http://www.uproc.lib.mi.us/> www.uproc.lib.mi.us 

www.facebook.com/pages/Les-Cheneaux-Community-Library 

 

 

 

 

 

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On
Behalf Of Julie Censke - Colon Township Library
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 10:33 AM
To: 'michlib-l at mcls.org'
Subject: [Michlib-l] Ambassador Books

 

Hi All,

For the last couple of years, I've been troubled by a reoccurring situation
with a company called Ambassador Books. Every year, a fast-talking gentleman
would come in the library with a small stack of books that had been
"donated" by local businesses to our library, as well as the school library.
He would provide me with thank you notes to send to the local businesses
(wait, what?). This bothered me because I had never requested the books, but
the situation was giving the appearance that we had. I disliked the fact
that his company was benefiting from this situation at the expense of our
local businesses too. 

 

For the last two years, I just let it go because I'm busy. This year, I
decided to reach out to the school library and find out what their
experience was with Ambassador Books. The school librarian pretty much had
the same experience as I did, and the donated books usually didn't get read,
sat on a shelf, etc. I wondered how much this company was profiting from our
local businesses, so I decided to reach out. I found out that four local
businesses were donating between $300-$600 annually. I explained the
situation to the business owner and suggested that they forgo donating to
Ambassador Books, and donating the money directly to the school for new
books of the librarians choosing. I received a mixed response. Business
owners that had been giving for years were generally glad to know the
situation, they don't want to waste their money, but one was upset that we
didn't appreciate their gift. THANK YOU, AMBASSADOR BOOKS. 

 

I just wondered what other libraries thought of this odd situation? Also,
here's a link about the company. 

 

http://nash-news.com/uncategorized/books-for-school-children-or-a-scam-for-a
rea-businesses/

 

Sincerely,

 

Julie Censke

Colon Township Library

(269) 432-3958 ph.

(269) 432-4554 fax

Julie.censke at monroe.lib.mi.us

 

 

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