£900,000 in library fines

The University of Warwick and Coventry University have collectively created more than £900,000 in library fines over the past two years.

Warwick issued more than £300,000 worth of fines, and Coventry charged students nearly £500,000.

Although 25 percent of fines were eventually dismissed, university students still had to pay almost £600,000 for overdue books.

Warwick charges 20p per day for overdue items on standard loan, 30p per day for those on three-day loans, and £1 per day if items are recalled for any reason. Overdue short loans carry the heavy fine of £1 per hour.

The maximum fine on any one item is £35, however the University does not allow students to renew, reserve or borrow items if their fines are in excess of £10.

Many believe that the fines act as a good deterrent to ensure stock keep circulating, and prevent lost or stolen books. Having short-term loans on items which are in demand is also important.

Warwick even allows students to renew books online multiple times, so even if students are away from the University they can avoid being charged.

Acting librarian at the University of Warwick, Robin Green, told the Boar: “The principle behind fines is maximising the opportunity for students to be able to access the material they need for their courses.

“We know from many years working with the Students’ Union and Student Staff Liaison Committees that fines are a positive deterrent providing they are at an appropriate level, as when fine rates are too low there is a temptation to ‘rent’ books.

“This is why fines on books on short loan and books that have been recalled for use by another user are considerably higher than on other categories. Our fine rates are below the average for the sector and the last rate increases were made in 2009.”

Before 2009, fine rates had not increased for over 10 years. Warwick Library ensures all fines paid are reinvested back into the library and its facilities.

Saira Bentley-Holder, first-year English student, said: “If it’s a day loan, that’s because the books are highly needed, so it is good to have a deterrent to make people return their books on time. It can be very annoying to find a book which you really need for an essay if someone hasn’t returned it in time.

“You don’t even have to go into the library to renew your books either, so it’s not very hard to avoid fines!”

However, Biology undergraduate Natasha Metcalf believes there needs to be a change in the borrowing system: “Fines could be more expensive, as people don’t really care about 20p to keep the book for an extra day. Perhaps a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ system could be introduced – if a student gets three warnings for not returning a book, they could be banned from borrowing books for a while.”