Councillor Defends New Library Fines System

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28936, 2 July 1959, Page 8

Councillor Defends New Library Fines System

The Canterbury Public Library staff had always prided itself on its standard of politeness, said Cr. R. G. Brown, chairman of the City Council's library committee, in a statement replying to criticism in letters to the editor of “The Press.” When the council agreed to a recommendation of the City Librarian (Mr R. N. OReilly) to “toughen up” the penalties for late return of books, Mr O'Reilly had warned that there would be a certain amount of resistance from borrowers, Cr. Brown said "But the load of work in notifying subscribers of overdue books had increased out of all proportion, and increased penalties were the only way out. “The girls who are attacked for lack of politeness are the girls on whom falls the unhappy task of telling some borrowers that they must pay the fines we have laid down. For quietly insisting that the debt be paid, these girls, whose instinct is to be tolerant and easy with people, have had to meet the most intemperate abuse from a small but significant minority of borrowers.

“Some of the borrowers who have had one or a few valuable books out for over a month, and who have neglected the opportunity to ’renew free of charge, think we are highwaymen for asking 6d a book,” Cr. Brown said. “Others who have had warning that in a week or so the little 6d will become the big 2s 6d fine and who have disregarded that warning behave as if the bailiffs had arrived.” “Not Revenue”

The library fines were not looked on as a source of revenue, but as a deterrent against casuai treatment of valuable property, he said.

Before the new system came into force on May 11, the number of first notices of overdue books sent out each week had reached more than 1200, or about 16 per cent, of all loans required notification. Since the new policy, the number had been steadily reduced until last week the figure was 650—a little over 8 per cent. One correspondent had asked that post cards should be available for sale to borrowers to assist them to renew books if they were ill and could not visit the library. Cr. Brown said the suggestion was helpful, but it was doubtful if there would be enough demand for such cards to pay for the cost of having them printed.

An ordinary post card or letter card or letter did just as well. All the library asked was that the number on the pocket of the book be quoted, along with the date punched in the transaction card and the borrower’s own number. The renewal could also be made by telephone. Number Only

To another correspondent's suggestion, Cr. Brown said the library would like to supply the title of an overdue book instead of just its number on the notices, but it would take too much time. As it was, a machine printed the numbers off the punched record cards and all the library had to do was dispatch the notices. To look up 600 or 700 titles would take many hours.

If subscribers could not trace an overdue book by comparing the number on the overdue notice card with the number in the book, and thought they may have returned it to the library in the meantime, the library would be pleased to identify the book. The library was grateful to the great majority of borrowers who had been considerate and cooperative during a difficult period. Cr. Brown said. Should anyone believe he or she had been unfairly or uncivilly treated, the City Librarian would be glad to look into the grievance, or the persons could get in touch with Cr. Brown.