University library rant

glider3560

I returned two books to a branch of my university library on Saturday. I remember watching the girl scan both the books, but she wasn't paying any attention to her screen as she was talking (gossiping) to a colleague.

Went online this evening to reserve another book. It wouldn't let me due to an outstanding fine.

I've never had a fine so wasn't sure what this related to. Checked my account and one of the books hadn't been cleared from my account and have now been charged £2 in fines. It will be £3 by tomorrow. :mad:

So now I'm going to have to go to the library, hopefully find the book off the shelf and somehow convince them that I actually returned this book on Saturday.

Wish me luck.

smalandcute

i have had this problem but not with a uni library. give them a cal and explain the situtaion and state that the two books were returned together. if they get that arguementative tell them to check the cctv of you handing both books in but they shouldnt, if another student tries to take the book out then it wont allow them seeing it is on your accountand they will have to wipe it, if you find it try and get a friend to take it out and see what happens xx

dmg24

Do you not ask for a receipt when returning books?

olly300

dmg24 wrote: »

Do you not ask for a receipt when returning books?

Why should you?

Computer systems means like smalandcute said that books can't be taken out if they are already out.

The_One_Who

dmg24 wrote: »

Do you not ask for a receipt when returning books?

Not when returning, no. With such a high-turnover of books and with universities pressed to be more 'green', receipts simply don't work. My university also has a 'book drop' to save queueing just to return a book so that all the book in the basket can get scanned as returned and re-shelved. This is especially important around exam time when the queue is almost out of the door for people wanting to take out 'on-hold' books, which is the only real reason to queue, otherwise we can check books out on self-service machines.

OP, just call and say. It's easily done and the system won't allow the book to be taken out anyway. Don't get aggressive or defensive (like telling them to look at CCTV, it won't go down well), just be mature and have a discussion about it. If you go and get the book off the shelf and take it to them they'll see their mistake.

bestpud

The_One_Who wrote: »

Not when returning, no. With such a high-turnover of books and with universities pressed to be more 'green', receipts simply don't work. My university also has a 'book drop' to save queueing just to return a book so that all the book in the basket can get scanned as returned and re-shelved. This is especially important around exam time when the queue is almost out of the door for people wanting to take out 'on-hold' books, which is the only real reason to queue, otherwise we can check books out on self-service machines.

OP, just call and say. It's easily done and the system won't allow the book to be taken out anyway. Don't get aggressive or defensive (like telling them to look at CCTV, it won't go down well), just be mature and have a discussion about it. If you go and get the book off the shelf and take it to them they'll see their mistake.

It is all self service at my uni now - for loans and returns - and there is a huge notice by the returns machine telling people to take a receipt and check it!

It says quite clearly the books are not 'returned' unless they are printed on the receipt and essentially tells people they don't have a leg to stand on if they don't get the receipt and check it.

We were always given receipts when it was done at the counter too and, again, told to check them.

melancholly

yeah - rubbish as it is, receipts are the way forward.... i had a similar system to bestpud's with self service machines but you were advised to check things. it's daft that it has to be done, but sadly that's the reality!

OP - can you go to the desk at the front and get them to come with you when you look for the book? just to try and prove the point? i hope they let you off the fine - i suppose it could be a short/overnight loan.... one place i used charged £1 an hour when it was late!!

glider3560

Popped down to the library this morning. Spoke to the lady who didn't have a clue. She then spoke to another lady who looked more senior. She printed off a form and asked me to sign to say I confirm that I'd returned the book on x date. She then said the book would be looked for tonight after reshelving and that I would receive an apologetic email if found.

I wasn't particularly happy with letting them find the book, so I went and looked myself. There it was, on the shelf. As the book had a CD, it had a slip inside the front cover which the librarian has to sign and date each time the book is issued and returned. This was signed with Saturday's date. Took it to the desk. Lady agreed to remove fine and was very apologetic.

I asked about receipts and she said they only provide them when you use the self-issue machine or make a payment for something. No receipts for anything else.

Thanks for all your posts.

bestpud

glider3560 wrote: »

Popped down to the library this morning. Spoke to the lady who didn't have a clue. She then spoke to another lady who looked more senior. She printed off a form and asked me to sign to say I confirm that I'd returned the book on x date. She then said the book would be looked for tonight after reshelving and that I would receive an apologetic email if found.

I wasn't particularly happy with letting them find the book, so I went and looked myself. There it was, on the shelf. As the book had a CD, it had a slip inside the front cover which the librarian has to sign and date each time the book is issued and returned. This was signed with Saturday's date. Took it to the desk. Lady agreed to remove fine and was very apologetic.

I asked about receipts and she said they only provide them when you use the self-issue machine or make a payment for something. No receipts for anything else.

Thanks for all your posts.

Glad you sorted it.

You could always ask the to double check they've all been recorded, especially if they are distracted or chatting while scanning them?

lucy111

well i would sympathise but i'm at the university of york and two out of the three floors in the library have been closed all term for refurbishment. its scandalous. there are ridiculously few computers, little access to desk space and its impossible to find books now they are all crammed on one floor.

sorry just had to join the library rant.

glider3560

Another rant - same branch, different person serving me.

I took out a journal today and the girl stamped 09 Mar 2010 as the return date. It said Overnight Loan, so I queried this. Without saying anything, she then picked up the overnight stamp and used that. 01 Mar 2010 was stamped (today is 2nd March). I decided not to argue any more and just take the book. Throughout the whole transaction, she said absolutely nothing to me - not even saying anything when I pointed out the wrong date.

As an aside, I noticed that this book had not been out on loan since 1986!