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August 4, 2006
Book Fines
Leeds City Council library service is one of the richest in the country but its spends next to nothing on books and has a poor reputation. It certainly doesn't need the income raised from fining children for returning their books late as this article describes.
I don't think libraries should fine people for being late returning books. Many libraries in America don't fine people and even The London Library here, for example, doesn't fine late returners. It is an outdated practice likely to put people off using libraries.
If there are regular offenders then a library service could hold a deposit on a credit card (as in a hotel) and if needs be, eventually charge the price of a book. But don't call it a "fine"
Posted by Perkins at August 4, 2006 9:42 AM