Lauinger Logo Redesign Delays Return of Plastic Book Bags

Students checking out books in Lauinger Library may have noticed a difference at the circulation desk this semester: The library’s supply of plastic bags — distributed to patrons carrying heavy loads or facing inclement weather — ran out during the spring semester. Since then, visitors to Lauinger have had to supply their own means to transport books.

The current shortage was caused by a delay in ordering as the library redesigned its logo, which is featured on its new Web site.

“[The logo] wasn’t quite ready at the point that the other [bags] ran out,” said Mark Jacobs, an associate librarian.

The new bags were ordered about a month ago and are due to arrive soon.

“Rest assured, we will have plastic bags,” Deborah Cook, head of the access services department, said.

Lauinger offers the bags as a convenience for those checking out books.

“It is great that both library staff and our users find them to be a real benefit, particularly when it is raining and snowing,” Jacobs added.

Not everyone at Georgetown is so excited. Sam Sadle (GRD ’11) pointed out the environmental effects of the policy.

“It’s a bad idea, we all carry backpacks. … Why encourage plastic bag usage?” Sadle said.

Jayah Kaisamba (MSB ’12) acknowledged the environmental argument but understands how a plastic bag could be a helpful addition to a backpack.

“I see how that could help, carrying extra stuff,” Kaisamba said.

Nevertheless, plenty of Georgetown students are looking forward to the return of the bags. “There isn’t a day that goes by that students don’t ask about the bags,” Cook said in an e-mail provided by Jacobs.