Overdue fines of Library Lending Resources: Challenges and Solutions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc. Student, Information Science and Knowledge Studies, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Information Science and Knowledge Studies, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Information Science and Knowledge Studies, Faculty of Management, Universityof Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this research is to survey the impact of library fines on returning resources. Overdue fines are one of the mechanisms that is used to ensure returning of library resources. In addition, fines bring income to libraries, increase users’ responsibility. Some researchers believe that fines can hinder using the library by users, decrease library efficiency and waste librarian time. Therefore, receiving fines is not a suitable mechanism for returning resources. Assessing the impact of overdue fines, in addition to returning information resources, can also measure the keeping of users.
Methodology: The method of this research is descriptive. 41,400 members (until the end of 1997) of public libraries in Karaj, are the statistical population, of which 381 people participated as the sample in this study. The required data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using Excel and mini-tab software.
Findings: Public library users agree with the fine and consider it effective in returning timely library resources; So that it can be considered as an important factor in the timely return of resources to the library. The two main reasons for the delay in returning library resources were the forgetting of the book return date and the need for the book (even at the cost of late payment). Many users were unaware that they could extend resources online and over the phone. From the respondents' viewpoints the fine did not have a negative effect on the renewal of membership.
Conclusion: One of the main reasons for not returning resources on time is forgetting the return date. This problem can be partially solved by sending a reminder text message before and after the due date. It is possible to extend the due date of resources online in the public library institution system of the country, but most users are not aware of the features of this system. Given that people today have access to the Internet mainly through mobile phones, the design and construction of application software that can be installed on mobile phones that can easily search and extend resources, is felt. Educating library users about the general rules and regulations of the library and lending can also be effective in getting resources back on time.

Keywords

References

  1. Adomi, E.E. (2003). Attitudes of university library users towards overdue fines in Nigeria. The Bottom Line, 16 (1): 19-24.
  2. Bhatt, H. (2011). Students perception of charging fines for overdue books: Case of Islamic College of Science and Technology Library. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 31 (6).
  3. Blog, A. (2019).Why End Library Fines?.[Website comment]. Retrieved 2019, Jan 3 from https://endlibraryfines.info/.
  4. Boehme, A. & Mihaly, K. (2018). Fine Efficacy: An Experimental Study of the Effect of Daily Fines on Borrower Return Habits. University Libraries Faculty Publications, 53.

https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ul_pub/53

  1. Boyce, C. (2014). Practice makes perfect: Updating borrowing policies and practices at a small academic library. Journal of Access Services, 11 (4): 282-297.
  2. Davies, R. & Sen, B. (2014). Overdue books at leeds university library. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 46 (3): 226-242.

 

  1. Ebrahimi, R. & Haseli, D. (2018). Factors effecting delays in returning borrowed items in public libraries. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 24 (1): 191-205.
    [In Persian]
  2. Gleeson, C. (2019). Library fines abolished in plan to double membership. [Website comment]. Retrieved 2019, Jan 2 from:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/library-fines-abolished-in-plan-to-double-membership-1.3746308.

  1. Hockenberry, B. & Blackburn, K. (2016). Get out of fines free: Recruiting student usability testers via fine waivers. Journal of Access Services, 13 (1): 24-34.
  2. Hockenberry, B., & Blackburn, K. (2016). Get out of fines free: Recruiting student usability testers via fine waivers. Journal of Access Services, 13 (1), 24-34.
  3. Kang, Q.; Wang, P. & Wang, Q. (2019). The state of circulation policies and practices
    in Chinese academic libraries. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 51 (3):
    601-611.‏
  4. McLaughlin, J. (2019). Library Fines and Borrowing Policies UX Study-Final Report. Available: at:

https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/14700/Fine_Elimination_and_Borrowing_Policies_UX_Study_Final_Report.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y

  1. McMenemy, D. (2010). On library fines: Ensuring civic responsibility or an easy income stream?. Library review, 59 (2): 78-81.
  2. Moavenat tose'e ketabkhaneha va ketabkhani (2013). Majmoe dastoramal ketabkhanehaye omomi. Tehran: Ketab Nashr. [In Persian]
  3. Phelps, S.F. (2015). Library Fines Make a Difference in Academic Library Book Return Behaviour. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 10 (3): 96-98.
  4. Reed, K.; Blackburn, J. & Sifton, D. (2014). Putting a sacred cow out to pasture: Assessing the removal of fines and reduction of barriers at a small academic library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40 (3-4): 275-280.
  5. Sifton, D.J. (2009). The Last Taboo: abolishing library fines. Partnership. The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 4 (1).
  6. Su, Q. (2014). To fine or not to fine: evaluation of the overdue policy at Nunavut Public Library Services.
  7. Sung, J.S. & Tolppanen, B.P. (2013). Do library fines work?: Analysis of the effectiveness of fines on patron's return behavior at two mid-sized academic libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39 (6): 506-511.
  8. Wilson, D. & Roberts, B. (2018). Clinging to the past: Circulation policies in academic libraries in the United States. Journal of Access Services, 15 (2-3): 106-124.
  9. Wilson, D.; Frazier, C. & Harter, D. (2015). Circulation policies in major academic libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41 (6): 798-803.
Send comment about this article
CAPTCHA Image
Sciences and Techniques of Information Management
Volume 6, Issue 2
September 2020
Pages 89-106

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics