Category — Access Services

I have a suggestion about library fines. I love libraries, and I understand the necessity for fines–to discourage stealing books and so students return them in a timely manner–but the fees here are OUTRAGEOUS. I understand that I’m supposed to be a responsible adult and manage due dates on my own without e-mail reminders, but I think it’s kind of underhanded to wait 5 days before sending an overdue notice to students. My parents do not pay for charges to my student account and as a graduate student I live below the poverty level. I am sure there are many other students in the same condition. I would like to suggest that you remove fees from the student’s account after they have returned the books, or at least minimize them to a reasonable amount (such as $2 per week, instead of $2 or $10 per day). I suppose you probably make a decent amount of your money from library fees but my experience so far this semester has made me not even want to check out books from the library.

Thank you for your comment. In most cases, we do not charge fines on materials. If a book is overdue more than 5 days, you will receive a notice from us stating that you will be billed $175 for the replacement of the book if you do not return it. Once you do return the book, that replacement cost is removed from your bill. We do charge fines for recalled books, and sometime for books borrowed from other libraries depending on their policies. For all the details about our fine policies, please visit http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/about/borrow/fees.htm.

If you have additional questions about fines call (573) 882-4072 or your branch library.

I have a very very serious complaint against the MU library system which is very very ineffiecient and slow for a patron to request and get a checked-out book. I’ve waited for a whole semester to get my recalled books. I requested five books and I only got one after my semester was over. What a joke here. What is the point of giving me the book I need to finish my semester after the semester is over? This is a ridiculously slow library. This library recall service is even slower than a public library. What are you doing with our student fees? We pay to get nothing. I reserve my right to find out why my recall requests were delayed for a whole semester.

If you need an item that is not being returned, please let us know so we can go to another library to find the item for you. When you recall a book, notices are sent to the patron. If the patron does not return the book we can fine them, but we can’t force them to return the book. It is up to the patron who needs the book to contact the library and let us know that you are having a problem so we can find you another copy. We are very sorry you were inconvenienced and that the materials you needed did not arrive in time for use.

Added comment: Another librarian pointed out that if you put an item on hold, the patron who has the item will not receive a notice. A notice is only sent if you have recalled the book.