In 1964, gas averaged a quarter per gallon and bread cost
an average of 21 cents per loaf, according to www.348-409.com.
The fine for an unreturned book at Halle Library was 10
cents per day.
In 2008, gas costs an average of $4.07 per gallon, according
to AAA; and bread averages $1.17 per loaf, according to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fine for an unreturned
book at Halle Library was still 10 cents, until July 1.
This date marks the first increase in library fines and
fees in 33
years.
 |
CHECK IT OUT: Jenny Woodard, an EMU senior
from
Howell, checks out a book at Halle Library.
Michelle
Okangbue, an EMU student from Okemos,
works
behind the desk and processes the transaction.
As of
July 1, Halle Library has increased its fines
and fees
for unreturned books — the first rate
hike in 34
years. |
Halle has unsuccessfully attempted to increase the fines
and fees at least six times since the 1980s, after losing
money and not being able to replace lost or stolen materials,
said Rita Bullard, a library professor.
Fines have been constant for such a long period of time
because the Board of Regents approved the policy in 1964
and did not revise it until this year. The board recently
abolished the ancient policy and gave Halle and academic
affairs the independence to determine the fines and fees.
"Every time we would get a new secretary of the board,
we would do all the legwork to get the policy changed.
The board finally paid attention this time," said Bullard,
who knows of attempts by the library to have the fines
increased as far back as the early 1980s.
The previous lost book replacement fee of $40 was
significantly under the actual cost to replace the book
which, on average, is $62. The fines and fees are determined
by the Bowker Manual, which sets a new book replacement
average annually.
The new fines and fees are: 25 cents per day with a $10
maximum, $62 lost book replacement fee or the actual cost
if it's higher and a $15 processing fee.
"By increasing the daily fines, but keeping the maximum
charge at the same rate of $10, we are simply trying to
get students to be good citizens," said Elaine Logan, associate
librarian. "We don't even want to collect the money for
overdue books. That's not what we care about. We care that
the books are returned in good condition on time so that
other students can utilize them."
Because the fines have been constant for so long, Halle
has continued to lose money over the years on unreturned
books, said Logan. The July 1 fines and fees parallel peer
institutions in Michigan.
Before the recent changes, the processing fee for a lost
book had been $5, while the national average is $45, according
to the Bowker Manual. The amount of employee time that
it takes to order, stock and shelve a new book is more
than $5, said Logan. The library plans to increase the
processing fee to $30 next year and $45 in 2010.
"People come in and want to re-check out a book and, if
someone is on a waiting list for the book, they can't check
it out again. So, they ask how much the fine is per day.
When we tell them 10 cents, they laugh and walk away with
the book," said Bullard.
The number of overdue books in Halle can range from 40-70
per day, said Brian Steimel, Halle's circulation coordinator.
The current total for unreturned books for the fiscal year,
which ended June 30, is $27,000, said Amy Singer, client
services coordinator. This figure does include refunds
for lost books that were later found and returned.
