[Publib] Netflix option to fines: was "circulation decline"

[Linda Cannon]

I have suggested (more than once over the years) that we do away with fines. We would replace them with "Extended Loan Fees." These would be (ahem) the same as fines. We would just call them something different. I figured if we could tell people "Oh, I see you chose to do an extended loan. Your fee is 50¢" instead of "You have a fine of 50¢" it might go down easier. So far, no takers.
 

Linda Cannon, Collection Development Librarian
Joplin Public Library
300 S. Main St.
Joplin, MO  64801
417-623-7953
lcannon at joplinpubliclibrary.org
http://www.joplinpubliclibrary.org <http://www.joplinpubliclibrary.org/>  

 

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Rachel Davis
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 1:41 PM
To: Lise Chlebanowski
Cc: Publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Netflix option to fines: was "circulation decline"


"Lise Chlebanowski" <lchlebanowski at avondale.org> writes:
I spoke with a woman the other night who said she would use the library if there were no fines. She's just really bad at getting books back on time.

I don't think librarians ought to try to absolve patrons of their responsibility just so that they'll use the library.  We allow people to borrow materials with the understanding that they will bring them back so that others may borrow them as well.  Why is it unreasonable to impose a consequence if patrons don't keep up their end of the bargain?  Do we really have to invent systems for people so that we can absolve them of their own responsibility in the transaction?  If someone has decided they are not willing to accept the consequence of misusing a service and chooses not to use it at all, more power to them.


Rachel

Rachel Q. Davis
Children's Librarian
Thomas Memorial Library
6 Scott Dyer Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107
207-799-1720


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