> How many of you think it should be done the first way and how many
> think it should be done the second way?

If you want to help insure the box lives a long and happy live, I'd
probably look to get permission. =) Eventually, the powers-that-be
WILL find out about the box, and it would be nice to know what they
think before you actually plant it.

I'll only charge one cent for my thoughts instead of the regular two.
I feel in a giving mood. =)

-- Ryan

I would recommend getting permission.

also maybe as an added incentive, maybe you can talk the director into
offering a FREE library card to any of the locals that may want one..... or suggest
they libranians have stamps of their on they can use as an exchange project.
putting clues in the box to go to the desk after stamping in..... with a secret
code word. LOL, might work

good luck and keep us posted on if you decide to do it


sinna


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Budster!

If you do an archive search, you can find several posts on this subject
discussing the pros and cons as well as some helpful input on developing
your letterbook!

Mama Stork
aka Pam in Cinci

>
> It's time to try something new but I need some help in going about this
> task. I want to plant a letterbook in one of the local libraries but don't
> know how I should go about doing it.
> Looks to me that there are two options:

I definitely recommend getting permission before placing a letterbook letterbox in a library. I'm putting one in our local library and they were very happy to have it. If your library doesn't want it, it won't last long.

Choi


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Definitely get permission! Check out "Kimball" letterbook and the
Syracuse Library links from letterboxing.org I also plan to do one
eventually at my University Library.
-- Dagonell the Pirate

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "budster2@j..."
wrote:
>
> Hi to all in Letterbox Land,
>
> It's time to try something new but I need some help in going about
this task. I want to plant a letterbook in one of the local libraries
but don't know how I should go about doing it.
> Looks to me that there are two options:
> 1)Show the article and ask for permission to place it
> or
> 2)Sneak it in on a top or bottom shelf
>
> How many of you think it should be done the first way and how many
think it should be done the second way?
>
> Since the weather is quickly going downhill here in Central NY,
inside letterboxes seem like "just the thing" to get through the
Winter. Budster of the Catskills

In a message dated 12/13/2004 10:19:31 PM Pacific Standard Time,
budster2@juno.com writes:
2)Sneak it in on a top or bottom shelf
I'm a sneak from way back. Causes less confusion and is not confrontational.

~~Doublesaj & Old Blue~~
P49 F 313 X72 V18 A18 HH 27


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If it's a letterbook, I suggest you ask permission. I have one www.letterboxing.org/BoxView.asp?boxnum=8311&boxname=Smokin'_Fish>
, and the librarians are delighted to have it. Librarians regularly move the
books around; I think they'd notice a letterbook. I had a friend who had her
letterbox confiscated from the library.

If, however, you are hiding a microbox, then you might want to be a little
devious. There are many places where a small magnetized box might not be
discovered for a very long time.

Another thing to think about if you're hiding it from the librarians is to choose a
library that gets alot of traffic. I know the librarians at my local library are
always very aware when a newcomer visits.

Acorn

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Doublesaj@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 12/13/2004 10:19:31 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> budster2@j... writes:
> 2)Sneak it in on a top or bottom shelf
> I'm a sneak from way back. Causes less confusion and is not
confrontational.
>
> ~~Doublesaj & Old Blue~~
> P49 F 313 X72 V18 A18 HH 27
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If you succeed in getting permission, plant it in a "Reference"
section (Not to be Checked Out). Those pesky library users kept
trying to check out letterboxes I knew of in the circulating
stacks.

If you want the thrill of planting incognito, and don't care if it
disappears after a while, try the 800s and 900s sections. I was
told these tend to move around less. Besides, the hiking subject is
in there somewhere.

Scarab

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "budster2@j..."
wrote:
>
> Hi to all in Letterbox Land,
>
> It's time to try something new but I need some help in going about
this task. I want to plant a letterbook in one of the local
libraries but don't know how I should go about doing it.
> Looks to me that there are two options:
> 1)Show the article and ask for permission to place it
> or
> 2)Sneak it in on a top or bottom shelf
>
> How many of you think it should be done the first way and how many
think it should be done the second way?
>
> Since the weather is quickly going downhill here in Central NY,
inside letterboxes seem like "just the thing" to get through the
Winter. Budster of the Catskills

Hmm, just to be nosey, I went to my local library's
website and searched for "letterboxing" in their
online catalog. I'll be, they've got a copy of Randy
Hall's book!

Doodle Bug.


--- thedoubtfulguests
wrote:



>
> If you want the thrill of planting incognito, and
> don't care if it
> disappears after a while, try the 800s and 900s
> sections. I was
> told these tend to move around less. Besides, the
> hiking subject is
> in there somewhere.
>
> Scarab
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com,
> "budster2@j..."
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi to all in Letterbox Land,
> >
> > It's time to try something new but I need some
> help in going about
> this task. I want to plant a letterbook in one of
> the local
> libraries but don't know how I should go about doing
> it.
> > Looks to me that there are two options:
> > 1)Show the article and ask for permission to
> place it
> > or
> > 2)Sneak it in on a top or bottom shelf
> >
> > How many of you think it should be done the first
> way and how many
> think it should be done the second way?
> >
> > Since the weather is quickly going downhill here
> in Central NY,
> inside letterboxes seem like "just the thing" to get
> through the
> Winter. Budster of the Catskills
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> $4.98 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
>
http://us.click.yahoo.com/Q7_YsB/neXJAA/yQLSAA/60TolB/TM
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>
>
>


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Share in our letterboxing adventures, without all the rain & mud:
www.geocities.com/doodle_n_deedle



__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less.
http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250

We recently planted a letterbook/box in the local library. We did ask
permission and after a few weeks, the children's librarian got the library
director to go along with it. It's planted in the Young Adult section behind some
classic books on tape that they swear NEVER get checked out!!

They even asked us to do a session on letterboxing in January. Guess we
can't ask for any more support!!

Now, here's the other side of asking for permission. We wanted to plant a
box on the grounds of the local historical society museum. A friend's dad
whom I've known for years is the President, so he took the box and information
to their board of directors. What did they decide? That they didn't want
people "trapsing around their grounds." They're a museum and they don't want
people around - OMG!!! So that experience ended my permission asking days!!!

Suz (of Tom & Suz in Connecticut)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I think I would personally still ask permission. Even if you get a "no,"
you (or another letterboxer) might get in trouble if they found you
"trapsing around." I have just asked permission from our local nature
center and park board. Both already have Geocaches set up, so I am pretty
sure I will get an affirmative answer. However, if I don't, I would rather
not let anyone get in trouble over it.

Perhaps you could "rewrite" your request for permission? For instance, go
find a location first and then present the location to them. It is possible
they will see that that particular location would not be a problem if it
presented high-traffic. For instance, the Geocache that is set up at our
Nature Center is way out by the road behind the sign. Nobody ever goes near
the sign (except the cachers) and it can't harm any wildlife or plantlife.
Our History Museum has a cannon (old and non-working) out by the road, as
well as a sign and some rocks. I was going to see which is most suitable
and THEN approach my museum. Just a thought. :)

"Runs With Scissors"



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>
> I'll only charge one cent for my thoughts instead of the regular
two.
> I feel in a giving mood. =)
>
> -- Ryan

Can I have the other cent? I'm a poor social worker at Christmas (-:
j/k the generosity is astounding Ryan!

I have been toying with adding a letterbox in my public library. I
was thinking that I might approach it by offering to donate a copy of
a book like A Letterboxer's Companion to the library in exchange for
planting one small one in far sections of the reference section.

That way I am giving and receiving. We'll see what they think once I
get around to finally carving a stamp.

Cadenza

> whom I've known for years is the President, so he took the box and
information
> to their board of directors. What did they decide? That they
didn't want
> people "trapsing around their grounds." They're a museum and they
don't want
> people around - OMG!!! So that experience ended my permission
asking days!!!
>

the one plus to this is that my experience finding in places like
that has not been the best. Places like museums often have such well-
tended grounds that finding a good hiding place can be a challenge.
Sorry about your disappointment. Too bad he took it to the board
instead of okaying it himself!

Cadenza

Since the subject is up... For those of you who have planted library
boxes: When asking a library for permission, do you prefer to direct
them to the websites or provide a brief written description of
letterboxing, or both? What method do you find is most effective?

Circus

The method that I used was arrange a meeting with the
director of circulation and take in with me a finished
letterbox that I hadn't placed. I then talked about using
a letterbook instead of a box but everything else the
same. This made is easier for her to see what I was
talking about.

I took in my letterboxing pack to show my journal and that
I carried paper towels for my fingers. Lastly, I took a
couple print outs of clues, one treasure hunt style and
another puzzle style. She liked the treasure hunt idea and
wanted to keep it relatively easy so that kids to do it.

The librarian wasn't as worried about the ink pad as I
thought and was particularly happy to see a baggie with
About Letterboxing handouts (printed from the .pdf in the
files section of this group).

Choi

I believe in preparation. I came armed with the Smithsonian article, the LBNA
FAQ sheet, and the clues from another library letterbox in our region. I also
included examples of my clues and carving. The librarian was then able to
present the materials to the board (who, I am happy to say, unanimously
approved the letterbox).

I think it's important to "make a case" to improve chances of success. In the
case of a library, explain how a search will encourage library skills. In the
case of museum, demonstrate how other museums have embraced
letterboxing and how planting a box can open up local history, art, culture, etc.
to new patrons. Try to tie the letterboxing in with the mission of the
organization to which you are applying.

I also characterized letterboxers as intelligent, inquisitive people. If I had
been planting the box on the grounds of a library or museum, I would have
emphasized the "leave no trace" ethic.

Acorn

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Circus wrote:
> Since the subject is up... For those of you who have planted library
> boxes: When asking a library for permission, do you prefer to direct
> them to the websites or provide a brief written description of
> letterboxing, or both? What method do you find is most effective?
>
> Circus

In a message dated 12/15/2004 10:27:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,
circus.mask@gmail.com writes:

Since the subject is up... For those of you who have planted library
boxes: When asking a library for permission, do you prefer to direct
them to the websites or provide a brief written description of
letterboxing, or both? What method do you find is most effective?

Circus





We created the box (actually a paper machie box that looks like a book) and
brought it with us to the meeting we had arranged. We had also planted
another box on the library grounds and created a beginner letterboxing kit for the
librarian. At the beginning of our meeting, we gave her the kit and had her
follow the directions to the outside box. This way she had a true
letterboxing experience - and was totally hooked!

We brought along copies of written information about letterboxing along with
a copy of Randy Hall's book for her to look at.

Suz (of Tom & Suz)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

OK, here is a dumb question... has any librarian ever been offended by the
fact that a book is hollowed out, basically destroyed? I was brought up to
care for books and this whole "Altered Book" craze just drives me nuts! ;)
I like the idea of a papier mache' box that looks like a book. It just
seems that a librarian would be upset that a book was being destroyed...?




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Our librarian offered to hollow out a large reference book
that they were removing from circulation. They destroy
unused or worn out books all the time to make room for new
material on the shelves.

Choi

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 10:06:35 -0600
"Jenn Nunley" wrote:
> OK, here is a dumb question... has any librarian
>ever been offended by the
> fact that a book is hollowed out, basically destroyed?
> I was brought up to
> care for books and this whole "Altered Book" craze just
>drives me nuts! ;)

I had no idea! That is good to know because I have been so worried about
destroying a book. :) You know, when you are raised a certain way, it is
difficult to get past it. :)

Jenn

_____

From: john@johnsblog.com [mailto:john@johnsblog.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 10:11 AM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Letterbook Letterboxes


Our librarian offered to hollow out a large reference book
that they were removing from circulation. They destroy
unused or worn out books all the time to make room for new
material on the shelves.

Choi

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 10:06:35 -0600
"Jenn Nunley" wrote:
> OK, here is a dumb question... has any librarian
>ever been offended by the
> fact that a book is hollowed out, basically destroyed?
> I was brought up to
> care for books and this whole "Altered Book" craze just
>drives me nuts! ;)


Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT

oups/S=1705065786:HM/EXP=1103213483/A=2434971/R=0/SIG=11eeoolb0/*http://www.
netflix.com/Default?mqso=60185400> click here

:HM/A=2434971/rand=888379331>

_____

Yahoo! Groups Links


* To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/letterbox-usa/


* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

-OK, here is a dumb question... has any librarian ever been offended by
the fact that a book is hollowed out, basically destroyed? I was brought up
to care for books and this whole "Altered Book" craze just drives me nuts!
;)I like the idea of a papier mache' box that looks like a book. It just
seems that a librarian would be upset that a book was being destroyed...?

Libraries are "renewing" all the time. We have books that are literally
falling apart. If we can't fix it, we get rid of it and replace it with a
newer more current item. Books on space exploration published in 1973 seem
to be a bit different from books published in say 2001 :)
Believe me, it pains us to get rid of some books, let alone actually
destroy. BUT, you must not look at it as destroying a book. You are
recycling the book and giving it a new life. Besides, if anyone were to
offer to donate a book as Cadenza has suggested, no library is going to
refuse a free book if it is current, and despite what many would like to
think letterboxing is becoming more and more of a popular rage.

-Since the subject is up... For those of you who have planted library
boxes: When asking a library for permission, do you prefer to direct
them to the websites or provide a brief written description of
letterboxing, or both? What method do you find is most effective?

Face to face interaction would be best in convincing a libary to house a
box. That way you can argue how it would benefit the library. We love to
get people into the library despite the shushing we tend to do. If it is an
activity that could involve kids, it's even better. The stealth and leave
no trace policy can be taught to the younger boxers.

As a final note, speak with the director instead of another staff worker.
If you can convince the director, your success in planting in the library
increases. Don't leave it to a staff worker to try and argue your case.

'boxing librarian

Thanks for putting my mind at ease. :) I guess I just didn't take into
consideration the fact that yes, some books just simply "wear out."
Personally, I have books that are from the 1800's and still look great, but
I know that I take better care of books than some people do. When in
school, I volunteered at the school library and we were constantly repairing
damaged books. It was very rewarding to me to be able to breathe life back
into these treasures. Thankfully, we never had to "retire" any while I was
there... I probably would have cried! LOL!

Runs With Scissors


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]