Many thanks to all who replied to my request on any libraries which have
successfully introduced a no fines policy. The replies demonstrated that
for a no fines policy to work it is absolutely necessary to have other
speedily enforced sanctions in place, such as:
* sending official-looking invoices very early on, followed by a letter
informing users that a debt recovery organisation would be involved.
* Suspension of IT accounts when books were 10 days overdue. Students
considered this fairer than fines - as they didn't end up out of pocket.
* Students have to get a leaver's form stamped by the library at the end of
their course.
* Removal of borrowing and renewing rights if any books overdue.
* Blocking of borrowing rights for the same number of days as books were
overdue.
I think our failure was not to take any serious action at all until books
were 3 weeks overdue. The no fines policy has now been abandoned.
Gwenda
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