Stamping due dates in library books was universal in the recent past. Now it is a practice that many non-school libraries have discontinued, replacing the service with printed receipts, web-based accounts for patrons to remind themselves about due dates, and reminders. School libraries prepare students in the use of all libraries – is it time for them to discontinue stamping checked-out books with due dates?

The idea for providing patrons with stamped due dates as they check-out library items was initially published by none other than the developer of the Dewey Decimal System, Melvil Dewey. The practice at that time was for the librarian to indicate how long a book could be in the patron’s possession as a time span – for example, two weeks – with the actual due date calculated by the patron. Dewey (Dewey 216) wrote about a suggestion from Prof. H. Carrington Bolton of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut that involved providing the library patron with due date bookmarks at the time of library resource check-out. About the value of the due date bookmark Dewey wrote, “This bookmark will serve the reader as a constant reminder of his duty; will often prevent thoughtless defacement of volumes, and may even prevent misunderstandings as to amount of fine.”

Reminding the patron of their responsibility to return their library materials in a timely way remains important. Stamping the date in the back of the checked-out book works well only when the patron has the book on hand to reference that reminder. Through the use of accounts accessible through the World Wide Web and with email reminders, public libraries now provide access to due dates that do not require direct access to the checked-out book. The first requires more action by the patron than the later, with both requiring more action when the book is on hand. Utilizing electronic resources, the public libraries offer a passive source of due date reminders (World Wide Web) and an active source of due date reminders (email). They also do not cause the “thoughtless defacement of volumes” because a date stamp is not used on the library items. An added benefit for the library patron is a book that is no longer due date stamped does not need the pasted slip of paper in the back of the library book that too often covers author biographies, and, among other things, highlights of other books the author has written.

When Davis middle school students visit public libraries in the area and check-out books it is common for them to receive a paper receipt with the due date instead of having a person use a rubber stamp to record the book due date. This is largely due to the public libraries having self-check-out equipment. This move away from the use of rubber stamping due dates in checked-out books by our public libraries is being done to more efficiently (quickly) get patrons through the item check-out process, to reduce repetitive stress injuries associated with library staff stamping due dates on books, to end the unsightly marks made on books from due date stamp ink not drying fully before the newly stamped book is closed, and to reduce the “toy” aspect of the rubber stamps when young individuals get a hold of them. The ink takes some effort to clean off of walls and furniture.

The electronic library catalog used at Davis is accessible from outside of the school at http://destinyweb.ccboe.com. Students have been instructed in how to log into this web site using their library accounts and how to check the due dates of the items they have checked-out from the library media center. Practice followed this instruction, with frequent verbal and posted printed reminders. Email reminders are not currently sent until the books are overdue, but there are no charges for overdue books. If the Davis library media center were to move to a stamp-less check-out a printed receipt would not be provided to the patron.

From a student’s point of view the biggest benefit to checking-out books without them being stamped with a due date is a faster check-out. The other benefits – reduced repetitive stress, and the unsightly marks associated with stamping due dates in the books – would be realized by the library staff. All patrons would benefit from the due date sticker not covering important descriptive information in the books (not a universal issue, but it happens enough to be considered).

Please express your thoughtful views in the comments. In particular, do you believe there are merits to changing to a no due date stamp check-out process? Whether or not you believe there are merits to a no due date stamp process, what procedural details do you believe would be important (example: send email reminders before a book is overdue)?

References:

Dewey, Melvil. “Restricted Reference Books.” Library Notes 2.1887 (1887): 216. Print.