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Okay, as some people may know I'm a Librarian. And that means I deal with the many-headed monster known as "the public." I am not going to go into the vast scope of darkness in the soul of "the public" at this point...because I am trying to win my 7 Days Rant-Free Pin from Ranter's Anonymous...but...

I am going to touch on this one subject...bookdrops! I'm sure many of you have seen or even used one of these contraptions. Usually the bookdrop is a metal box with a hinged door located outside a library. Sometimes it is a slot in the wall of the library building. Either way...the concept is the same...when the library is closed anyone desperately needing to return a book can slide it down the slot. Our Library has two metal box-type bookdrops. The penalty for NOT returning a book is a fine...in these parts 15-25 cents per item.

Now...imagine yourself approaching a bookdrop...you see that there is no possibility of sliding your item down the slot because the bookdrop is full to overflowing...

YOU...

1)Think "How in God's Name could it be filled to overflowing? Didn't any of these people realize I could simply reach a hand in and grab several items? That I could walk off with their books and tapes and DVD's and THEY would have to pay to replace them...at a cost of 14.95 - 95.95? Why? Oh, Why didn't they simply choose to pay a 15-25 cent fine or even explain the situation to the Librarian...who may, even though it IS a long-shot, be AWARE OF THE FACT THAT it is the Four-Day Thanksgiving Weekend and the bookdrop might fill-up? Isn't it possible she might not even charge them the 15 (or possibly 25) cents late fee if they just took a moment to explain the situation?"

2)Put your item(the 5-DVD Set of Buffy-Season Two - Library Replacement Cost $53.95...street value somewhat less) down on the Library steps and hope for the best...surely the Librarian will find it when she returns to work in 2 days time.

3)Take your DVD in hand and try to force it into the already overflowing bookdrop...pounding and punching and shoving until in your frenzy you cut your hand on the metal edge of the bookdrop...and then complain to all of your friends and later to the Librarian that the bookdrop was full and a hazard to humanity.

4)Go home and write a letter of complaint to the Librarian and the City Manager because you wanted to return a DVD and there was NO DVD DROP!

5)Check to see if the OTHER bookdrop...you know, the big metal one right next to (and an identical twin of) the full one...
IS OPEN!!!
Pull the slot handle and see that it IS, INDEED! Hurrah! What an unbelievable stroke of luck! Slide your item down the perfectly free slot and hear it echo as it falls some distance into the nearly empty box below and then singing a festive Holiday tune go on your Merry Holiday Way!

(no subject)

Date: 2002-12-01 07:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] buffonia.livejournal.com
Maybe I'm a saint but I would have noticed the second book drop, and probably have shoved some of the overflows down it too. 'Tis the season afterall.

You're a saint...

Date: 2002-12-01 07:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabid1st.livejournal.com
This Buffers is why you are on my friends list...

...I assume all of my friends are opting for #5...don't tell me if you have ever picked 1-4...just take the secret to your grave, Okay?

(no subject)

Date: 2002-12-01 08:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] harmonyfb.livejournal.com
That second, open "bookdrop".....it doesn't have "trash" printed on the lid, does it?

Gee, I wish I could rent Buffy boxed sets at our library. ::sigh::

Re: You're a saint...

Date: 2002-12-01 08:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] buffonia.livejournal.com
*snicker* to the grave, indeed.

No...but on the subject of pots re:kettles

Date: 2002-12-01 12:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabid1st.livejournal.com
I once returned books to my local library and instead of dropping them in the bookdrop...posted them in the mail box just to the left of the bookdrop...

Hey! It could happen to anyone! ANYONE...who is busy thinking about Spike Nekkid anyway...

(no subject)

Date: 2003-04-18 10:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ginmar.livejournal.com
Well, hell, does this question even needed to be asked?

The urge to jam books into a full book drop while ignoring an empty one has got to be because of a gene. I bet people who do this also enter bookstores and ask, "Do you have magazines?"

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