Firstly, thanks for the many replies to this request for information.
Most libraries do charge, on the basis that looking after library material
is a student responsibility and costs should be covered by insurance.
Replies acknowledged sympathy for the student, but also concern at the
potential for false claims and the cost that would otherwise be borne by the
library.
Our own policy reflects the notion of borrower responsibility but I have to
admit to being uneasy about relying on a statement that their insurance will
cover it as in reality many students don't have or find it difficult to get
insurance or excesses and exclusions mean that their insurance may not cover
the theft. Our own staff also highlighted referring student to the hardship
funds operated by the instutution and the student union.
Of course exceptions/discretions occur.
These included:
A number of libraries waived replacement charges if a police crime number
was shown;
* If they come up with a police crime number we usually let em off but
if they have just had their books pinched by another reader we would
normally charge them
* We don't charge students - if they can prove it - usually with a
note from a tutor, or a police report. If they are stolen from a car, we
would claim against the insurance (but it has yet to happen). On the whole,
I feel that as long as it is genuine, it isn't the students fault, and it
seems a little... harsh to insist on them paying for replacements.
Or discretion on charging;
* We do have some leeway in cases of financial hardship, or violent
theft (verified by a tutor), or if we feel that demanding costs would cause
the user serious difficulties. In these situations we would explore with
Subject Librarians the possibilities for reducing replacement costs to an
absoloute minimum, or waiving them altogether. If it comes to negotiation
this is usually dealth with by a Senior Library Assistant to ensure as much
consistency as possible.
Procedures tend to reflect sympathy for the student who has had material
stolen:
* We try and deal with the matter sympathetically though issuing a
pro-forma that the student can pay once their insurance cheque comes
through. (Material stolen on School premises (left in open pigeonhole etc)
is not treated so leniently - we have much more of a problem with this.)
* In exceptional circumstances we may decide not to charge the
handling charge if e.g. the books were stolen out of their car or from their
house. We also sometime give them a chance to replace the book themselves
therefore, avoiding the handling charge.
* We will, however, make arrangements for the monies to be paid in
instalments. if necessary, and will allow the user to borrow provided the
agreed payment schedule is adhered to.
though not necessarily:
* What we do in response to stolen/damaged/lost books is offer to send
out invoices to people for the replacement cost of the book so they can make
a claim on their insurance. They then become banned from borrowing anything
from the LRC and a debtor of the college and until they've paid up.
Thanks again for all your contributions -
David Clover
Circulation Librarian
Information Services, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H
0AL
020 76126086
http://www.ioe.ac.uk/infoserv/ishome.htm
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