Man returns book 20 years late after library fines end
A book 20 years overdue is one of many returned to Christchurch city libraries since fines were abolished a year ago but the overall impact of the new policy is less clear.
Christchurch City Council says public feedback has been ‘‘overwhelmingly positive’’ since it stopped charging people for overdue library items in March last year.
Membership numbers have increased 10%, a ‘‘one year on’’ staff report states.
But the report does not mention membership numbers also increased 10% the year before fines were wiped and 9% the year before that. There is also no data available to show how many of those new members had used the library previously or how many returned due to fines being removed. There appears to be only anecdotal evidence.
Council acting head of libraries and information Erica Rankin said feedback from customers had indicated ‘‘relief, joy and delight’’ in being able to use the library again after many years of not being able to access services due to owing fines.
‘‘From a staff perspective, conversations with customers have moved from what were negative interactions into really positive ones.’’ The report, to be discussed at council this week, said borrowing numbers had increased 4.2% but only some of that could be attributed to the removal of fines. It does not say how much.
One figure that is clear, is that the number of overdue items has increased from 4.6% (8592) to 10% (19,245).
When asked if that was a concern, Rankin said customers were choosing to keep items for longer, with people returning the books before they were 28 days overdue.
Once a book is 28 days overdue, it is classed as lost and the customer is charged for the replacement cost of the book and a processing fee. They are also prevented from borrowing more items, until the book is returned or the fee paid. If the book is returned, the fee is removed and full borrowing privileges returned.
The council wiped $82,500 worth of historical fine debt in March last year. The total debt now owed by library users for
the past 18 months is $149,396 – $31,403 less than the $180,799 it was for the 18 months prior to February last year before the fines were wiped.
Library revenue was lower than what was projected. It expects to receive $522,956 in the year to June 30 – $246,501 less than the $769,457 it estimated.
Councillor Sara Templeton, who pushed for the council to abolish the fines, said one year’s worth of data was not enough to get a full picture of the impact of no fines. Some people were still not aware the council was not charging for overdue books, she said.
She had also received overwhelmingly positive feedback from library users. People had told her they had been back to the library for the first time in years because fines were abolished.
One of those allowed to borrow books again, is the man who returned Classic Curries after 20 years.
Rankin said the man had misplaced the book at the time it was due back and did not want to pay the fine before going overseas. On his return home, he returned the book to the library. ‘‘The customer was overjoyed there was no fine involved and he could use the library again. He also commented: I don’t even like curries that much.’’
At least 12 other councils also no longer charge overdue library fines, including Auckland, Nelson, Hutt City, Carterton, Waikato, and Christchurch neighbours Selwyn and Waimakariri.
‘‘From a staff perspective, conversations with customers have moved from what were negative interactions into really positive ones.’’ Christchurch City Council acting head of libraries and information