Dear Colleagues,
At the University of Reading Library we sometimes have borrowers
claiming they are returning loans late due to illness. In the past we
have asked them to provide some evidence that they have been ill e.g. a
sick note or a note from their department or tutor that they have been
absent, and we would waive the charges that were owed.
However, as doctors now often charge for providing medical certificates,
as the number of hours of lectures students are expected to attend
reduce (only 3 or 4 hours a week in some cases) and some have never even
met their tutor, it is increasingly difficult for borrowers to prove
they really were ill and unable to return an item on time rather than
just trying to avoid paying a fine.
What approach do other libraries take? Is it a question of believing
the borrower and noting the case on their account, insistence on some
form of evidence or informing the borrower they borrow at their own risk
and they will be fined anyway?
If any of you have any experience to share I would be delighted to hear
from you.
Regards, Nick Hollis.
Nick Hollis
Circulation Services Manager
University of Reading Library
Tel: (0118) 378 8770
www.reading.ac.uk/library <http://www.reading.ac.uk/library>
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