Being charged fines even though there were no travel options

Familyguyfan

Hi guys

Wondering if I can do anything about this: I tried to re-new my library books online yesterday afternoon and got a message saying: we can't renew one of your books because it is on hold.

Now, I don't live on campus, infact I stay 22 miles away and I travel into uni everyday but I live in central Scotland and you might have seen the horrible weather we're having and there were no services going to uni.

I e-mailed the uni and I got a reply back sayin i'm still going to be charged for fines!! I think this is totally unfair because there was no buses/trains going! so what was I meant to do? I would've went up if there were!

I'm going up tomorrow to try and fight my corner. any advice?

Thanks

The_One_Who

You could have posted it, but that would have cost more than the fine will. To be honest, I would just take the fine, it's not going to be much.

Helix

Was the Uni still open? TBH unless the Uni was shut then I think you will have to pay.

Taiko

The other thing I'd say, the only people who have the authority to fine you are the police or the courts. In effect, the university itself are a private company, albeit funded by the public.

This might sound daft, but in a way it's similar to the private parking threads on here. Maybe post there for a clearer definition?

MrsManda

Taiko wrote: »

The other thing I'd say, the only people who have the authority to fine you are the police or the courts. In effect, the university itself are a private company, albeit funded by the public.

This might sound daft, but in a way it's similar to the private parking threads on here. Maybe post there for a clearer definition?

Surely it's not a fine in the same respects as private parking? It's more a charge for late return such as you get for going to any library, or overdrawn on your bank account, or late payment of a bill?

If you couldn't make it yesterday afternoon why are you able to make it in today? Was there a massive thawing overnight?
TBH you were aware of the weather and presumably was aware of the date your books were due to be returned so you could've prepared.

If I log on to my library account at university I can see if there is a hold on the books I have and therefore know I have to return them by the due date. Does your system not do the same?

Voyager2002

I once knew someone who worked for a university and was in the TA. Some of the library books he was using were recalled when he was serving in Iraq! And he still had to pay the fines.

melancholly

Taiko wrote: »

The other thing I'd say, the only people who have the authority to fine you are the police or the courts. In effect, the university itself are a private company, albeit funded by the public.

This might sound daft, but in a way it's similar to the private parking threads on here. Maybe post there for a clearer definition?

well as unis can stop you graduating if you owe fines (it's been done!), most people would cough up the few pounds rather than risk it!

The_One_Who

If the books are late you will get fined, and that is classed as a 'debt to the university' which will stop you graduating. Even a 5p fine will.

I know at my uni library (maybe the same one as this) you would probably get charged 20p/day, but you might get lucky and only get charged 5p/day. It's hardly breaking the bank.

angelofmel

The_One_Who wrote: »

If the books are late you will get fined, and that is classed as a 'debt to the university' which will stop you graduating. Even a 5p fine will.

I know at my uni library (maybe the same one as this) you would probably get charged 20p/day, but you might get lucky and only get charged 5p/day. It's hardly breaking the bank.

indeed, my current library fines are a grand total of 60p for 4 books!

OP, one thing i have found with my library that may (or may not) happen for you was i had a few late books last year. becuase of the fine i took the books to be returned at the desk instead of the self service machines and the lady not only didnt charge me but when i mentioned i saw there were fines on my account told me not to worry and removed the fine. ive been told since that those who use the self service machines were made to pay the fine (ive since noticed a coin machine next to the self service for payments) but the librarians themselves really dont care so much about them being paid so long as the books come back.
it may not be the same for you, but im sure it cant hurt to try taking them to a librarian and seeing what happens.

bestpud

If the Uni and the library were open then people were managing to travel somehow so I think you should just pay the fine tbh.

I've had this happen when someone has reserved a book the day before it was due a renewal and I've been unable to get it back the next day. I always contact the library so they can at least inform the person waiting.

There is nothing worse than waiting for a book and having no idea when it will be returned! Thats why they have the fines - the benefits outweigh the downsides.

Tbh I've also decided once or twice to pay the fine rather than petrol for driving 60 miles to return a book. 25p or 60 miles worth of petrol is a no brainer imo! Wrong maybe but I'm not a saint and always travel if I'm not due in within 48 hours.

hieveryone

You can also renew books online so even if you couldn't travel you could log in to your library account.