Hello, 

At the University of Abertay, Dundee Library we are currently reviewing our
Loan and Fines policy.  We are interested to hear the experience of other
libraries in their choice of lending periods.

The University of Abertay Dundee Library is based on a single site, and, as
such all books go through a single Issue Desk, based in the reception of the
New Library building.  Our policy will have to take account of that fact,
since there are obvious limits to the number of different loan types that
can be managed from one desk.  The library catalogue and Circulation process
uses the Dynix operating system.

We currently have three loan types available to student users:- 

*	Four-Week Loan - with overdues charged at 5p per day up to a maximum
of £2.50.
*	Weekly Loan - with overdues charged at 5p per day also, again with a
£2.50 maximum fine.
*	Short Loan - available in two hour blocks throughout the day from
our Open Access Short Loan Collection.  Overdues are charged at 60p for each
hour or part of hour late, up to a maximum of £6.00 per item.

We also have an Extended loan for staff, which allows them to take out books
for a term at a time.  Staff also have borrowing rights over videos
(Twenty-four hour loan) and language materials, which serve for reference
purposes for the students.  Staff are fined at 10p per day for overdues.  

We are particularly interested to find out about other libraries experience
of Short Loan lending periods.  The two hour lending blocks seem to be
unpopular (we are currently conducting a survey of students on the matter),
but we are keen to strike a balance between maximising access to core texts,
and allowing people adequate opportunity to use the book.

Also, do you find that your loan periods are in step with changes in
teaching methods, with moves from 'terms' to modularisation, and
semesterisation?  

Also, what forms of punishments due you use for students other than fines?
Currently our readers are banned from using the library after a book has
been overdue for three weeks, and their computer priveleges are recinded
after about eleven or twelve weeks.

We would be very grateful for any information you could give us in relation
to any of these queries. If there is sufficient interest I will summarise
results for the list.

Thanks

Simon Reid

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Simon Reid
Short Loans Assistant
(01382 30)8871
mailto:[log in to unmask]



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