A borrower complained yesterday that she was given phone advice by a male librarian ‘with no hint of doubt in his voice’ that ‘it will be no problem if my husband collects the book provided he brings my library card.’ Unfortunately for this borrower, the item on hold was an interloan and as we must be particularly careful with other library’s books, no exception was made to give him the interloan. This misinformation understandably caused annoyance and I have apologised to the borrower.

Allowing someone to borrow using another’s card is not something we routinely do except when there is a prior arrangement due to circumstances such as the card holder being in hospital. I am well aware that Self Check machines do not check the identity of the person using the card but this does not mean we should advise borrowers that anyone one can use their card in all circumstances.
Please remember that currently proxy borrowing is only available for staff and disabled students.
Helen