Interesting discussion, as most correspondents seem to take the view that
fines are a Bad Thing. The two strands seem to be that fines per se are a
deterrent and should be eliminated, but as Mike Maguire noted, fines are
firmly embedded in the budgetary process and I bet 'quality of service'
figures in very few budgetary discussions. There is, perhaps, a third
strand that should be considered. Libraries can be regarded as a form of
commons, and the commons only work properly within a framwork of accepted
behaviour. The accepted behaviour surrounding the loan of library material
is - ah -nebulous. Fines are one form of creating a framework of accepted
behavior - we are the guardians of these commons! Or, to put it another
way, in an age when social mores seem to get ever laxer, it could be argued
that there is growing need to enforce and re-inforce the notion of social
responsibility. One way of doing that is to have rules, make them known,
and enforce them. On this basis, I think there is a case for fines - not
necessarily the strongest one, but a case.
---------------------------------------
Fred Miller
Senior Librarian (ICT)
North Tyneside Libraries
Central Library
Northumberland Square
North Shields
NE30 1QU
Tel : 0191-200 5425 or 0191-200 6294
Fax : 0191-200 6088
E-mail : [log in to unmask]
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expressed in this message are personal, and not those of North Tyneside
Council.
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