Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 13:12:14 +0200
From: Rachel Ben-Eliezer <rachelb@macam.ac.il>
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Policy on dealing with defaced serials at academic
    libraries?

Dear Kunchog Dolma,

I got so fed up with the situation that a few months ago we set up an
"exhibition" of scribbled in, torn, mutilated, vandalised etc books and
serials. It was very prominently displayed in the middle of the library and
we invited all our "budding teachers" to view the exhibit.
I have no idea whether it had any effect. The truth is a person who wants to
mutilate will find a way whatever precautions we take. If we had ever caught
someone they would be thrown out of the college immediately.

Rachel Ben-Eliezer
Serials Librarian / ILL
DAVID YELLIN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
LIBRARY
POB 3578
JERUSALEM 91035
ISRAEL
TEL: 02 6558180
FAX: 02 6521548
E MAIL: rachelb@macam.ac.il
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kunchog Dolma" <cwilson@MMM.EDU>
To: <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 6:59 PM
Subject: [SERIALST] Policy on dealing with defaced serials at academic
libraries?

> Dear serialists:
> Here's a nice discussion topic for a Friday... I am wondering if any of
> you have a policy on how to deal with patrons who deface or damage
> serials, particularly those of a politically sensitive nature. It was just
> brought to my attention that someone found a copy of the Advocate in our
> library with the word 'nasty' scribbled on the cover. I have also
> previously noticed copies of Ms., Rolling Stone, etc. with missing pages
> or photos. It's obviously difficult to punish patrons who deface materials
> unless you catch them in the act, so what are our options? Some
> libraries(especially public) may put popular or readily-vandalized
> magazines behind the desk, but this brings up censorship issues. Any
> ideas?
>
> Thanks in advance for your input,
>
> Kunchog Dolma
>
> ~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
>
> Kunchog J. Dolma, MA, MLISc
> Serials/Reference Librarian
> Thomas J. Shanahan Library
> Marymount Manhattan College
> 221 E. 71st St.
> New York, NY 10025
> (212)774-4807