Letterboxing USA - Yahoo Groups Archive

Placing a letterbox in a library

2 messages in this thread | Started on 2003-12-10

Placing a letterbox in a library

From: Dog Scouts Troop (DogScouts@hotmail.com) | Date: 2003-12-10 20:07:19 UTC-05:00
I have a 'letterbook' in a library. At first, I asked the main library downtown (in Cincinnati). I gave them the book/box so they would know what I was talking about. They deliberated for a week- even had a heads-of-staff meeting about it- but ultimately decided they didn't want to "be responsible for it" (even though I explained they wouldn't need to have anything to do with it, just keep it from getting checked out :-)
I then decided to try one of the smaller branch libraries closer to my home where I expected to get the same answer. After 5 minutes of speaking with the director of the library, she was not only happy to have the letterbook there, she was hooked on letterboxing! She's even gone boxing with her family on their vacation!
It doesn't hurt to ask, but you might have to ask at a few places :-)
I won't tell how/where in the library it's hidden though, you'll have to solve the clues for that :-)

Scoutdogs
"You say psycho like it's a bad thing"


Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 19:03:00 -0000
From: "azobox"
Subject: Placing a letterbox in a library - Questions

I am considering placing a letterbox in a library.
My questions:
If you have done this, have you sought permission before you planted?

If you DID seek permission, did you provide the authorities with
examples of other libraries that have knowingly accepted letterboxes?
Did they ASK for names of libraries or librarians who have allowed
letterboxes in their libraries? If so, do you have suggestions?

Did you place the box in the stacks where that book would normally
have been shelved (i.e alpha order by author)? Or did you hide the
letterbox-book behind the shelved books? Maybe you used a micro-box?

Did you choose a book to adapt that would be less likely to be
examined (i.e. an older reference-type book vs. a best-seller so it
could hide in a less traveled part of a library?

If the library director/administrator granted permission, did he/she
inform other staff about the letterbox-book?

Among my concerns is that the library will see this as a PR
opportunity and make the whole thing a lot more public than I would
wish.

I'm also considering a museum as a repository for a letterbox. Do you
have any experience with this?

Thanks for sharing your experience (either to the list or off-line).

azobox

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Re: Placing a letterbox in a library

From: mothermoo2001 (cstearns07@hotmail.com) | Date: 2003-12-11 16:36:24 UTC

> I have a 'letterbook' in a library.

Mansfield, Ct will hopefully have letterbooks soon I will meet the
librarian next week if all goes as planned then we will have more
snow day activities
>
>

>
>
> I'm also considering a museum as a repository for a letterbox. Do
you
> have any experience with this?

Mansfield( CT.) Historical Society Muesam has one. I have questions
for clues from each of the exhibits so folks have to look around to
figure out how to get it. In the end they ask the docent and she has
it in the desk where you pay. Outside the muesam there is another
which is a little story of the buildings history ( Plane Spotter) and
down the trail a box dedicated to Bed Ruggs a colonial bed covering
featured in a book written by my mom and adding to the whole colonial
experience there. Lots of fun and the muesam appreciated the extra
folks dropping in. Carol -Leader of the Pack
>