Avoiding library fines

DazedByTheLight

Unfortunately only about 41 libraries from the UK seem to be part of this right now. I use my local library a lot and use telephone reminders to ensure I always either return or renew my books before they are due back. When I do have to pay fines however I don't mind because I get so much enjoyment out of the books.

Cinders2001

I've just sent my library a link to that site recommending that they join it!
If we all do the same to our own libraries then they all might join for our benefit!

barbarawright

Sadly for users, most libraries won't join. As Reformed spender
said, libraries need fines. Without them, the money would have to come from somewhere else - presumably council tax or cuts in service. It would actually be fairly easy for most libraries to set up this service using the software they already have but they aren't going to simply because it's not in their interest. And to be fair, you can already renew your books online or by phone or in person. It's quite possible to avoid fines but if you do have to pay them occasionally, just remember how much money you are saving annually by not buying the books! But if nobody paid fines, it certainly wouldn't be to everyone's benefit.

(Why yes, I do work for a library service. And yes, I do answer emails on this subject on a regular basis). It may sound harsh but if you don't like it, campaign for your library to get a larger slice of council budget, don't blame them for trying to meet the council-set targets. And the nicer you are to library staff, the more likely your are to get your fines waived. True fact!

Savvy_Sue

Talltree wrote: »

This is a really good thread .... I used to get "clobbered" with Library fines pretty much every month .. it was a right pain, to the extent that I stopped using the local Library. It was quite expensive.

I got around it by taking out books on my Children,s ticket (shhh) ... and Children,s books on an Adult ticket ... there are no fines on Children,s books or tickets

Our library never used to let you do that: child's ticket = no adult books ...

Cinders2001

With our library you can renew books online, as can most people now I believe.
I renew mine every time online now and haven't taken my books back in for at least 6 months! (handy as I use them for home schooling my children).
The chap said that I can renew online for at least 10 goes. So that 3 weeks X 10.....not bad.
I write the new date on the calender to remind me to do it again......which just so happens to be today.

gt94sss2

The London Libraries Consortium Library Catalogue which operates in the following boroughs:

Barking & Dagenham
Brent
Havering
Newham
Redbridge
Richmond Upon Thames
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth

allows you to renew or reserve books from any of the above boroughs using the one ticket.

If you login to your account, there is also a setting where they will email you if you go overdue and last time I looked their was also a setting to email you a few days before a book was due to be returned.

Regards
Sunil

cepheus

Unfortunately this alert has changed to a subscription service, those using Elf should have received this Email

For the past three weeks we have been sending out an important announcement to existing Elf users that Library Elf is changing to a subscription based service. Some of you were unaware of this change because you did not receive any Elf notices in the last three weeks or because you may have missed it as it was only displayed at the top of your email notice. We sincerely apologize if you were caught off guard of this important change.

We realize that this is a big change after Library Elf has been totally free for the last five years. But costs have gone up and the number of users has gone way up - requiring much more support, a new server and higher bandwidth. The ad model was not enough to support the increasing costs and be a viable business.

To find out more about this change see "What's New" at http://www.libraryelf.com/WhatsNew.aspx

To find out more about the subscription service see "Subscribing" at http://www.libraryelf.com/Subscription.aspx

To find out about specific questions see the FAQ on "Subscription Questions" at http://www.libraryelf.com/FAQ.aspx

Again, we apologize if you were caught off guard.

Actually the basic Email reminder may not require a subscription

Basic Service

The basic service provides email reminders similar to those found in existing library email reminders: single card with just pre-dues and over dues. This free service is mainly for users whose libraries do not have a pre-due or overdue email reminder service. If your library does provide such a service then you should use theirs instead of ours.

cepheus

My reminder failed for the first time last week resulting in a library fine, is anyones elses Elf's system still working, assming you are not subscribing.

fairydiamond

My mum has a habit of taking my library card and then when I go to get a book, I have a fine. Great stuff.

brightonman123

i tend to use the calendar on my mobile, giving a couple of days notice just in case.. though most get read in a few days!