Dear Readers: We recently printed a reader's complaint about not getting loaned books back and asked for your input on this "touchy" subject. Boy, did this strike a nerve! Read on:
— Eileen Larsen of Richardson, Texas, says: "I have a large collection of books and have some suggestions for the woman whose husband suggested having people leave a deposit for books they borrow. That might be a good way to lose friends, as most people don't intentionally fail to return books. They just put them aside and forget to return them or forget who lent it to them. To help them remember where the book came from, I put one of the free address labels that we all get inside the cover, and I almost always get the books back. If, after a few weeks, you don't get it back, call and ask if the person is finished with the book because you would like to lend it to someone else. That's a gentle reminder to return the book, and that shouldn't hurt anyone's feelings."
— H.B. of Bakersfield, Calif., says: "When I loan a book out, I make a book cover from a brown grocery bag. I turn the bag inside out and write on the outside with a big, black marker "Please return to (my name)." This way, the book is kept clean, and the cover reminds the borrower who the book belongs to. I have had no problems getting my books back."
— Darlene Luckenbaugh of Shermans Dale, Pa., says: "When I loan a book, I remove the jacket and put the date and name of the borrower inside the jacket. The jackets are kept at a special place on my bookshelves so all the empty jackets can help me locate my books. Works for me! I love to read and love to share my books."
— Muriel M. Smith of Andover, Conn., says: "When I lend a book, I insert a bookmark with it. It has a picture of me on it, so they know who they borrowed it from. However, you could use any bookmark and paste a return address in the book. So far, it works for me."
These are just a few from the mountains of e-mails, letters and faxes that came in on this literary topic.
—Heloise
SEND A GREAT HINT TO:
Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 1-210-HELOISE
E-mail: heloise@Heloise.com
FAST FACTS
Dear Heloise: I have additional uses for wine and champagne corks we have around:I keep some in my fishing tackle box for attaching loose hooks and flat fish.
The corks can be made into a hot-plate holder by gluing together or gluing to a piece of wood.
You can also attach them around a picture frame to give to a fisherman. —Pauline Lower, Sacramento, Calif.
© King Features Syndicate Inc.