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The library computer system presumably knows that Neal Stephenson's "Confusion" is an 800-page book. With little tiny writing.
So why did they only lend it to me for the statutory three weeks?
There should be a sliding scale. Longer book, longer lend.
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Hmm. Thick book = long time. Thick head = longer time. |
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My college library would lend all books to graduate students for longer times than to normal students. My public library does what you suggest for a few items, mostly video-series collections. |
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Excellent idea although it would need a 'reading age' modifier in the lending period algorithm. |
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How long it takes to read a book has less to do with age and intelligence than with reading speed and how busy you are. I tend to linger over books and don't have a lot of downtime in which to read them, my other half devours books at the rate of two or three a week. |
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Still, you can't argue with the basic logic of the idea. [+] |
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This seems reasonable, but patrons can renew their library books at any time during the loan period if they feel they wish to keep the book beyond the original due-date, so I'm not sure that variable loan periods are necessary. |
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I fear that multiple loan periods (and therefore multiple return-dates) could prove too confusing for many an average library patron. We already get quite enough hassles from people arguing over fines because "I have 8 books out from the library - how am I supposed to remember when each one is due back?" |
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It should also go by subject, math books take so much longer to read even when they are short. 10 math pages should count for 327 normal non-fiction pages. IMNSHO. |
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This is a good idea, but why not just be allowed to check out a book for as long as you need it? I mean, maybe there's a reasonable upper limit (say one year), but having the same return policy for all books does seem a bit restrictive. |
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Our university library gives us a month, unless the book is requested by another user, then you get an email and have one week to get it in. |
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Whilst I do like this idea in theory, I feel that the practical application could be more complex than anticipated. |
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