[OPLINLIST] Fines and Fees Query

[Sheryl D. Schirmer, Director]

Dear Oplinlisters,

 

The Board of Trustees of the Bluffton Public Library is planning to 
raise fines and fees beginning in September.  The book fines have not 
been increased since 1963!  We keep low maximum fines per item to 
convince patrons that it is far cheaper to return it than have to pay a 
fine up to the price of item.  Then they are not tempted to keep it.

 

Daily DVD fines will remain at $1.00 per day, but the cap will be higher.

 

Of course, before they make a decision, the Board wants to know what the 
rest of you are doing out there.  Any information that you can supply 
will help.  If you charge for other things than I have listed, please 
include those also.  Please reply to me off list, and I will compile and 
publish results.

 

This is what the Bluffton Public Library is currently charging and 
contemplating:

 

*Fines *

*_Item                             Per Day            Maximum 
Fine                        _*

Books                           $ .05                 
$1.00                           

Audiobooks                      .05                 
$1.00                           

Music CD                         .05                 $1.00               

VHS                                .50                 $5.00  (Yes, we 
still have some and they are circulating)              

DVD                             $1.00               $5.00               

ILL                                $1.00               No Limit -- /we 
want _your_ stuff back!/

/ /

*_Patron Blocked _*-- Patrons are prevented from checking out any more 
materials until overdue items are returned, renewed and/or fines paid.  
The idea of stopping them at a low number is to prevent them from 
running up exorbitant fines.    Currently it is:

 

Overdue items:  3 or more                      

Fines:  minimum of $3.00          

 

*_Current Fees_*

Replacement Library Card           $2.00

Processing fee for lost materials $4.00

Fax                                           $1.00 per page US & CAN

Printing and Photocopy

B & W --                        .10 per page                 

Color  Printer-                 .75 per page                

(We only have a B&W public copier but can do a color copy for a patron 
in the back.  If _we_ do it, we charge them $1.00)       

 

Currently, we are giving away heavy duty plastic book bags on request.  
Do you charge for bags?  If you have gone to the "green" grocery style 
bags, do you charge for them and how much are you charging?

 

Thank you for your input.  Isn't it great that libraries share their 
info and ideas?

 

Sheryl

-- 

 

 

 


*/http://blufftonlibrary.oplin.org/*

*/Sheryl D. Schirmer, Director/*

*/Bluffton Public Library/*

*/145 South Main Street/**//*

*/Bluffton/**/, OH  45817/**//*

*/419-358-5016 /**/Fax 419-358-9653/*

*/schirmsh at oplin.org/* <mailto:schirmsh at oplin.org>*//*

*/ /*

 

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