Re: TARGET->Charging Fines in School Libraries

[Ken Haycock <haycock@UNIXG.UBC.CA>]

Perhaps the first question is not how much to charge, or the legality of
charging but rather why to charge. In an unreported study I conducted
with eighteen secondary schools ten years ago, one third did not charge
fines and two-thirds did. Given student populations, circulation rates,
etc. there was ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE in the rate or return or number
of overdues among the schools. Consequently all fines were discontinued.
Now, if motivation is punitive or fund-raising, that's another story...
And, if fines for students, then also for faculty?


Ken Haycock
School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
The University of British Columbia
831-1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC  V6T 1Z1
Voice: 604-822-4991  Fax: 604-822-6006
Internet: haycock@unixg.ubc.ca

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