Each year, a significant number of library items are not returned and fines build up for members who don’t return items on time. When library items are not returned, it means they are no longer available to the community to borrow.We’d like to change this.
From 1 March 2010, accounts with fines over $25 will be sent to an external materials recovery agency and an additional fee of $15 will be added to the account.
We understand that people today are very busy and can often overlook many things, including returning books to the library and paying fines. So if you’ve been meaning to return those items or pay those fines, get in early to avoid any additional fees. You can talk to us about an easy payment plan if necessary and once cleared, you'll be able to access our 200,000+ items again!
Its sad that it has come to this level, but unfortunately some good books have vanished from the shelves, so l understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support and understanding on this difficult issue. We haven't taken this decision lightly and we hope to recover some great books, CDs and DVDs back into the collection to be shared by our community.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some people borrow so many books at one time that they tend to lose track of them. Perhaps if a limit of books borrowed was in place the problem may be lessened.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to report that we do limit loans per borrower to a maximum of 20 items, except over the Christmas/New Year period when many people have additional time to read, watch and listen to library items. Thankyou for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed that this 'commercial collection of debt' has been choosen.
ReplyDeleteThe times I have been late returning material have been brought to my attention by an email Notice from the Library - usually a week or more after the books have passed their 'Due by date'.
It is rather a pity that a 'reminder' could not be sent out to those people with email connected accounts - reminding them (perhaps? 2 days [b]prior to the 'due by' date[/b])of the approaching deadline.
This would be a much better system for the 5%+/- who 'forget' ocassionally but are not completely indifferent to 'common courtesy'? The FCC Library IS a great service and one I appreciate: BUT I do not like this 'Free market punishment regiem'. Very unfriendly! :-(
I support chasing up people who havent returned books but in my opinion there has been a concerted move in some council libraries to subsidise expenditure through late fines etc.
ReplyDeleteI recently spent 7 years living in Queensland in a local government area with a similar sized library to Frankston and whenever people were late returning books either a text or email were sent to them reminding them that the book was overdue.They then had a few days to rectify the situation or be charged for late return.
Why cant this sort of system be institutd at Frankston and avoid slugging borrowers so much in fines ?
Thankyou for your replies.
ReplyDeleteCustomers are notified of overdue items 7 and 21 days after the due date via their choice of mail, text or email. As of 1st March, overdue notices will be sent out at 7, 14 and 30 days after due date, thereby giving customers plenty of reminders to return their loans. The 30 day notice will inform customers that their overdue loans are now considered as lost. If lost loans have not been returned after a further 14 days (that is, once loans are overdue by 44 days), accounts may be sent to a third party for recovery.
We have been trying to establish an email reminder of loans near due, but technical difficulties have so far prevented us from going live with this service. We will implement this service once we can be assured that it will work.
If you are having technical difficulties getting email reminders for 2 days before the due date you need a new programming staff or service as the logic for 2 days before due date or 7 days after due date is no different. Frankston library is the first library I have ever used which had an internet and email service but did not have an email notice prior to the due date.
ReplyDeleteI belong to another library system which emails 3 days before and one week after the books are due. Could this prior reminder be added? I know that I never have fines at that library, but by the time Frankston emails me to tell me a book is overdue it already has hefty fines on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm also very frustrated by the 20 book limit, so much so that I generally drive 40 mins to the other library system so that I can keep all my checkouts (usually 40-60) on one card and easily keep track of them. Multiple family cards for me is a guarantee of multiple fines.
Oh I'm sorry. I forgot to mention the other reason I drive 40 mins to use a different library system: They act like they actually want to be helpful. The staff go out of their way to help me find things, if I request a book from them I will get it in 1/2 the time it takes from Frankston. I've been deeply frustrated by the don't care attitude of Frankston library staff. Which I think shows in my 40 mins drive. Regards.
ReplyDeleteI requested the same system (a reminder email BEFORE the actual due date) and I was told by Frankston Library they couldn't do this because of 'technical reasons' which I think is a bit lame. I was told my paper receipt should suffice. A lot of other libraries use an email reminder system so I don't see what can be so hard - eg: St Kilda and Monash Peninsula. St Kilda also uses a phone messaging system - eg: an automated message is left on your phone to let you know your items are nearly due. Frankston Library seem to have a handle on blogs and twitter so I think a reminder system should be achievable.
ReplyDeleteI 'sort of' understand using a debt collection agency when items are REALLY overdue but I do think it cuts BOTH ways - if you are so intent on collecting your revenue eg: late fines, at least give library users a fair opportunity to return the books eg: with a reminder BEFORE the due date rather than after the fact when the fines have already kicked in.... a reminder is first sent from Frankston when an item is already 7 days overdue!
what a bunch of whingers, just take responsibility for your loans rather than blame the Library , you borrowed the items you return them on time, its not rocket science for goodness sake, do you want to be spoon fed on everything. You are getting the books, dvds for no cost loans anyway, stop your whinging!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOtis B Driftood
While we're getting our act together on email reminders, the best way to have near-due date reminder notices sent via email or RSS is to sign up to Library Elf. It's fine to use the free Basic Service.
ReplyDeleteharps
Just a correction: customers with overdue items will recieve notices at 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. If items have not been returned or there are outstanding charges of $25 or over after 35 days, the account will be sent to our recovery agent.
ReplyDeleteharps
What about the people who have overdue fines but they have returned the books?
ReplyDeleteThe collection procedures apply to accounts with fees and charges of $25 and over, including those made up of overdue fines for items that have been returned.
ReplyDeleteharps