Re: COLLECTION OF FINES

[David Levin <dlevin@ISBE.STATE.IL.US>]

Each week we generate fine notices (using our Follett Circulation Plus
program) with a message that indicates that the student's library
privileges will be lost if the overdue book or fines are not responsibly
taken care of.  A cap of $6.00 is all we charge for fines (plus the cost
of the book if the book is lost).
 
We also rubber stamp the fine notices for those who are four weeks late
with a specially designed pass imprint requiring the student to
see me immediately.  Our very supportive English teachers, the
distributors of the fine notices, send the "restricted" students directly to me to 
discuss
the need to be responsible, reasons for not returning their book(s),
etc.  This student - media center director conference (about a minute or two
with each student) seems to be effective.
 
Also, during the summer, we have a general registration for all students.
If a student owes any deliquent fees for any reason, he/she will not receive
the fall schedule until the fines are paid.  (A letter is sent home to
the parents at least two weeks prior to registration to forewarn them of
their offspring's irresponsible, unresponsive actions.)
 
To receive the fall schedule, the delinquent fines must be paid at the
"Fines Table" which, you guessed it, I sit at.
 
Hope this info helps.
 
                David Levin
                Rich Central High School
                Olympia Fields, IL
                dlevin@isbe.state.il.us
 
 
On Tue, 2 May 1995, Nancy Southard wrote:
 
> Our high school librarian has asked me to find out how secondary librarians
> encourage their students to pay their book fines.  She charges 5 cents a
> day, and does not include weekends, but some students let the fines go for 3
> years until they can't graduate until they pay the fine.  All that time they
> have not been able to check out books.  How do you work your fine system and
> how do you get kids to pay them?  TIA
> Nancy D. Southard
> Elementary Library Media Specialist
> Midway R-I School District
> 5801 E. State Route 2
> Cleveland, Missouri, U.S.A. 64734
> (816)250-2212
>