The Blatant Profiteering of the Library Has Gone On Too Long

[kernowdaydreamer]

I very much welcome the new email alerts that are sent to remind you that books are due in - this is exceptionally important seeing as the books are not stamped and all one has is numerous silly receipts - these make the whole system fairer. However, it is not enough. I recently spent the whole of one day sleeping after staying up all night with two essays and found two days later that I was being fined for books that had been due in that day. Why no reminder about that? Because of their profiteering instincts no doubt. Anyway, I returned the books at 10pm on a Sunday, but because the service desk had closed I got charged for that day as well. Hmm.

PLUS my library record is saying that I have not returned an item that has been recalled when I certainly did do so. I have also received library alerts about this. This has happened before with a dvd - is it so hard to make sure books are returned to the system? Do I have enemies lurking among the library staff? Hmm. I don't like this one bit. And one cannot complain directly to the library because the library staff are divided into the nice and the nasty-grumpy and it is obviously the nasty-grumpy whose rule is law. They could make my life very difficult.

[munchingfoo]

Appart from short loans, I always found the library fees were pretty small. How much did they charge you for 3 days late ? You can also check the status of your library books on line by the way.

It is a bit annoying that they stamp the books with the date of issue rather than date of return, but a simple bit of maths will bring you to the date of return. This method is necessary because of the recall process.

P.S. I have been receiving e-mail alerts from the library for as long as I can remember and this is my 7th year here.

[zipporah]

Seriously?

I get tons of email reminders - sometimes they're a useful heads-up, but usually they're just wasting space in my inbox. I don't read them, I recycle my receipts immediately, I can't remember when I last checked the front of a book for a date. Instead, I check my my library record online. This can be done at any time of the day, however often you wish - you can even sort by due date.

If a book isn't showing up as returned on your library record, speak to a member of staff and get them to make a note of it. Occasionally things go wrong - go and check the shelf. And there's no reason for you not to have received an email about those two specific books - if you honestly didn't (you should have got a 'due in the next few days' email and a 'first overdue' message at least), speak to the library about email inconsistency (the staying up all night bit is irrelevant - that's your problem, and I'm pretty sure your general rant at the library stems from being annoyed at yourself for getting into that position in the first place).

As for being charged an extra day's fines because you returned books after staff went home, yes, it is annoying - it's not like anyone's going to be able to get the book before the following morning anyway. But it's been raised with the library before and nothing's been done, so maybe it isn't compatible with the system. Or maybe they feel it's not really too much to ask of someone to return a book before 9.45pm, and I'm inclined to agree. If the library's just out to make a profit it's doing incredibly badly - we just had our SL booking system axed because they can't afford the staff!

In short, if you have genuine technical issues, contact the library or our library rep (email srclib). As regards the rest of your whining - grow up and realise it's *your* responsibility to keep tabs on *your* loans.

[whocoulditbenow]

Sounds like a case for Mr Harry Giles!!

[Hennessy]

I was charged 20p today by the Classics librarian, which was fair enough and I should have paid more, but as everything collected over the semester goes into improving the library in small ways (more folders, book covers, printer paper). I really don't mind.

[jollytiddlywink]

Whenever I run up fines at the library, if they are small enough that I can still check out books, I simply pay them when the library has their 'pay your fines to charity' day. It's hardly a big donation to a worthy cause, but it's still a donation, and that cancels out whatever irritation I feel at having run up the fine in the first place.
And yes, although there are sometimes problems with the system (I've never yet seen a system without some problems), ranting here won't fix them. Go and speak nicely to the staff. I've always found them helpful, and some of them are downright lovely.

[kernowdaydreamer]

Re "Zipporah: I'm pretty sure your general rant at the library stems from being annoyed at yourself for getting into that position in the first place). "

Oh, no. Actually, I just decided to edit it in a leisurely manner rather than have a stressed rush. Dear me, you sound just like my disapproving flatmate who seemed to think not having any sleep was a terrible catastrophe; really it was a momentary discomfort.

[ojk6]

I heard a rumour that the library has installed some sort of automatic fee paying machine where you can pay your fines without actually having to talk to anyone. Also heard you pay them online? True or False?

[exnihilo]

You wait to pay your fines so that the library won't get them? So not only do you keep books out that others might want, when fined for doing so you ensure that the money goes elsewhere making it harder for the library to operate? How public-spirited of you.

[careba2010]

All I ask is that if you have a book out and it is due say on the 5th of November and it has been recalled you b*oody well return it ASAP. As if you dont you are being incredibly selfish.

I am meant to be leaving for Reading Week at the crack of dawn tomorrow and I really need a book to write an essay and am freaking out that it is not going to be returned in time. I know I probably should be staying here for reading week but we have a huge family party which I need to attend.

[Frank]

All I ask is that if you have a book out and it is due say on the 5th of November and it has been recalled you b*oody well return it ASAP. As if you dont you are being incredibly selfish.

I'm not sure quite which you're saying.

1- It's recalled for 5th, but not returned as soon as the recall order comes in (e.g. the 1st)
2- It's recalled for the 5th, but even by the 7th it's not returned?

If the latter, fair enough: Anger merited.
If it's the former: Don't be silly! Recall it earlier!

[careba2010]

It was due in Yesterday anyway. SO to make sure it wasnt taken out again before I got my mitts on it I recalled it so it would be put on the on hold shelf so I could collect it before I went home.
I think I am justified in being a bit miffed