I read the original post and chalked it up to "No good deed goes
unpunished." But I have reconsidered my position and now believe it is
properly assigned to "Some people won't be happy even if you hang 'em
with a new rope."
Chas. Gaunce
Law Librarian
University of Texas at El Paso
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu] On
Behalf Of Judith Cole
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 8:26 AM
To: RBronnenkant@McCarter.com; law-lib@ucdavis.edu
Cc: sgburgh@ameritech.net
Subject: RE: National Library Week Patron
I agree entirely with Rita and I am employed by a governmental entity.
My experience with National Library Week and Law Day giveaways is
similar in some ways with Scott's and in some ways with Rita's.
I customarily conduct both contests and random drawings for each event.
West donates a myriad of giveaways in various quantities -- the less
expensive the more numerous. I set aside the "better" prizes -- this
year 3 desk clocks and two very nice paperweights -- for the winners of
the contests, which involve some legal research. The other prizes --
plastic cups, stress balls, coasters, memo cubes, travel mugs, etc. -- I
give away in random drawings.
Only one attorney refused his prize, electing to take nothing rather
than a stress ball, which another attorney was delighted to relieve him
of. The attorney who rejected the stress ball griped a bit that others
got thermos bottles or mugs. But he didn't send me a diatribe like
Scott's patron did.
I also purchase Library Week and Law Day bookmarks and pencils for
everyone with my own funds, and, like Rita, "a ton of chocolate in small
pieces." Management frowns upon this, but I remind them that public
school teachers do this all the time.
Finally, I host a thematic "film festival" with DVDs and videos borrowed
from the public library, which anyone in the office can take home
overnight on the honor system. I have never had an item not returned.
These programs are very popular, and I don't plan to alter my approach.
I figure the stress ball incident is more a reflection on the
disgruntled young lawyer than on my program.
Best to Rita and Scott, and to all the rest of you who plan special
events for your patrons, the majority of whom I suspect are
appreciative!
Judy Cole, MLIS
Law Librarian
Hillsborough County Attorney's Office
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 27th Fl.
Tampa, FL 33602
Tel: 813-272-5673, Ext. 126
Fax: 813-272-5758
colej@hillsboroughcounty.org
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