Kaleidodad
Librarian Mickey
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2018
As a librarian I can say that libraries are just happy to see their resources being used by their patrons: that's why many public library systems are going the way of no late fees ever.
When I went to the actual library I was AWFUL for returning books late. Now that I borrow digital copies I am 100% cured. If a book is due there’s really no excuse for not either returning or renewing it.
I could be totally wrong but I think the point of the discussion was if your book was unable to be renewed (which for my area means there's either holds on it or you've exceeded the number of renewals allowed) not necessarily would you renew the book or not if you could if you hadn't finished it.I have renewed a book several times in order to finish it. As long as they allow it, why shouldn't I?
Our library does have a 2 renewal policy. I have on a couple occasions have to go to the library, check it back in and then check it out again. Again, if there are no holds and the library allows it...
First, I have no real stake in this - IRL, I was able to renew the book in question on line, so my problem was solved. It just made me curious about the general thought process around stuff like this.
Assuming you cannot renew a book (or whatever) online, how much does it bother you if you're late returning it?
First, I have no real stake in this - IRL, I was able to renew the book in question on line, so my problem was solved. It just made me curious about the general thought process around stuff like this.
Assuming you cannot renew a book (or whatever) online, how much does it bother you if you're late returning it?
I voted It Depends
I know I probably will get flamed for this but during the exam semester one year, there were only a small number of textbooks in the library for a large class. Most people only went to the library about a month before the exams to take out the text books. I used the library throughout the academic year for study and I realised early on that there were not enough textbooks for the whole class. So I took out the textbook and kept renewing online until one day I couldnt renew online. This was because it was near exam time and other students had put a request on it. When that happens you are supposed to take the book back so another student could use it. Well I didnt, and just ignored the emails from the library and let the fines build up. Considering these text books cost about €100 each, I estimated the cost of the fines if I kept the book until the exam was over and worked out it would only cost me €20 in fines. That to me was worth it and yes I know one of my class mates needed the book but at the same time, its survival of the fittest and I needed the book too.