Standard Rules Regarding Library Overdue Fines

[Dr. Badan Barman]

Respected forum members,

Five days before I received a query in my Email as well as through personal phone calls from a faculty members regarding library fines. I discussed the matter with my colleagues and my senior teachers. However, we unable to locate any standard rules regarding this. So, I am posting the questions with slight modification to make it suitable for the open platform below for your ready reference and feedback on the issue.

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I have a query regarding Library rules. Is there a statute book, that is to be followed while making Over Due fine rules.

In case, if you could suggest me any titles that could be referred I would be grateful.

There is a need in my Institute to frame these rules on some philosophy **. We have a rule of Rs. 1 per day/ per book, but very unfortunately the fines have been regularly bleeding the faculty members with a dear sum of Rs. 9000- Rs. 10,000. Is this normal?

We are becoming poorer by using Library.

1. Is levying such huge fines like, Rs. 9000-10,000 (for 14-15 books worth Rs.55), on the basis of Rs. 1/per day/ book normal? 

2. Are there situations where a library might waive the fines? In case, if the Faculty is able to show that the keeping of books was not intentional hoarding- does this become a condition for waiving!

3. I was levied a fine of Rs. 1,06,000, for two dictionaries, that my ** allowed me to keep as an English Teacher from 2012. Dictionary is a teaching aid to Language teachers.

4. Had the stock verification been done, the books would have been recalled from me- but this never happened. 

5. Is there are fine recovery system for Libraries?

In some institute there is a capping of some amount as the maximum fine from students- Faculty had no fines on books.

Gentleman, your kind help will make us restore our Library, which is a heart of the Academic Institution as friendly to the user (Faculty and Students). 

Kindly educate me on Library over due fines and the rules that I have attached kindly check if they are in jeopardy with the five illustrious Library principles.

Kindly enlighten me about the framing of rules in a way that does not hurt the interest of the Faculty User and the Library that is the heart of an Academic Institution gets better response.

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[Rakibul Hasan Mondal]

Dear Sir,

As per my knowledge and perception concerned about our library profession, the rule and policies should be fit with our patron groups and their need. Over due fines or general fines are to control and track the books and its physical health so that it can be usable years to years. Our patrons whether they are faculty or students should respect to the library circulation rules and policies.

If we see the five laws, it says books are for use/every book and its reader. So books are issued for specific period so that the same can be used by other patrons to meet their need.

Suppose a book is issued to a patron for 6 months, S/he should get it renewed before the due date if required. It shows his sincerity towards library.

The problem is common in most of the libraries. We need to give proper orientation to our patron to educate them about values and importance of circulation rule and policies. We need to send the over due reminder repeatedly by e-mail, SMS or Phone call, make them realise the current demand of the books by others. It should meet every patron's need.

[Anand Kumar]

Dear Mr. Mondal

I respect your reply. Libraries must make laws keeping the need of the patron in the mind. Reminder through emails, sms, phone call should help. 

I have learnt from a Library practices book that Library must begin by believing that the User is honest. 

Thanks

AK