We get our earbuds from Playaway, approx .7998 each(bag of 50 at 39.99) http://www.playawaylibrary.com/shop.cfm?s=Accessories and I believe sell them through the FOL for $1.00. We may get a discount too since we buy Playaways from them, too - Contact Mark Ciccero)
One of our branches bought some headphones that we cataloged and check out for 1 hour. We have fines attached if they are late or are not returned. We put a security strip inside the ear piece, so it will set off the alarm, but cannot be seen. Also we used a Silver Sharpie and wrote the name of the library across the headband - to discourage theft. I think Demco or Brodart(or one of the big library suppliers) have an icky orange headphone which may discourage theft also! Thanks, Linda H Waco-McLennan County Library ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen Ellis Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 8:48 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ctls-l] Headphone dilemma: What do you do? With their typical consideration and love, my patrons have been destroying my heavy duty headphones in the Taylor Public Library computer lab. I have heard that some libraries sell inexpensive ear buds or lightweight earphones rather than providing them. Right now, this is sounding quite attractive. Who out there is selling earphones/ear buds to the public? How much do you charge? Do you have a vending machine? How much does it cost you? Where the heck do you get your supply? Do you still keep some headphones for public use or do you just turn off the sound if they don't want to pay for headphones? Please let me know, and let others know too-all of our budgets are tight and this might be a good alternative to buying another round of expensive heavy-duty headphones. Thanks! Karen Ellis Karen Ellis, Library Director Taylor Public Library 801 Vance Street Taylor, TX 76574 512-352-3434
