[Winona Online Democracy]
I think Tom's point of those little receipts not always being as helpful as the date stamp is a good one. Maybe the library staff could provide the option for those like me who tend to misplace those receipts? A self-service area with an ink pad and a date stamp that can't be removed from the premises? Just an idea.
The topic of "late fees" is an interesting one. It's like many imposed behavioral consequences that are created to deter unwanted behavior and don't work for everyone (maybe someone out there can share Judge Challeen's theory about this? It's a good one, but I'm not familiar enough to do it justice).
In both the case of the library and Blockbuster, the purpose is to get the items back on the shelves in order for others to have access to the item. In Blockbuster's case, a late fee is attached to recover the lost opportunity for rental revenue because of the individual's behavior--returning the item late. Blockbuster management must always be concerned with which practices maximize profits while satisfying the greatest number of customers. There will always be someone who returns an item late and won't think he/she should pay a fine and the manager can either waive or enforce the policy using discretion for each situation. Raising fees in general for all doesn't seem very "user-friendly" to the responsible customers who return on time. I don't think it's in Blockbuster's best interest to be friendlier to the late folks and offend the regular folks in the process by raising prices. Better to have a fee policy for the late folks and be willing to suspend it if they're disgruntled.
The library is not concerned with the lost opportunity for revenue, but rather the limiting of choice for other patrons. Since the library's books belong to all of us, we need to have some guidelines for sharing them in a way that is fair.
I see the late fee at the library as a fee for taking more than one's fair share and it makes sense to me that way. I don't think the goal is to generate income for the library, but to insure fairness to all patrons and citizens. The library also provides the opportunity to renew a book as long as there is not another patron waiting for its return, so the late fee is there more to encourage folks to be mindful of the due date in order to avoid the fee and ultimately assure fairness. I think the library is a pretty user friendly place considering we all have access to it!! I'm not sure how the library looks at enforcement of these fees. I only know that I'm willing to pay them because I know I've not been responsible. The fees aren't excessive at all for me.
I'm more concerned about the limited hours as "unfriendly" than the late fees!
Just my thoughts.
Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Severson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Vicki Englich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Online Democracy" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 11:07 AM
Subject: RE: [Winona] No New Taxes
_______________________________________________[Winona Online Democracy]
I am sure is the Library were self supporting the late fees would go to library, but beyond that now that the computer has some extra sheet not stamped in the book like in the old days makes it tougher to track whether or not it is late. Computers are not always better.
I think the thrust should be towards making the library more user friendly and I believe not encouraging late fees by adding the money to the budget encourages that goal. The problem is only a few that abuse the return privilege, not that vast majority.
I saw someplace the Blockbuster is eliminating late fees ., but raising the
rate for rentals. User friendly?
Thanks Tom
Tom Severson Box 736 Winona, Mn. 55987 507 452 3402 ext 214
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Vicki Englich Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 8:21 AM To: Online Democracy Subject: [Winona] No New Taxes
[Winona Online Democracy]
Tom and all, Many people do contribute money to the library because they value it immensely. For instance, I have been a member of the Friends of the WPL for years, and have served as a board member for nearly 10 of those years. Just this week I received a $100 check to the organization (which is NOT a library board, more like a booster club) for the library resources (books, CDs, DVDs, reference materials) and programs we provide to the Winona area community. Many people donate time, money, and books to this public treasure. Some request that memorials be sent to the WPL or Friends to honor the memory of a loved one.
I don't have the figures on hand that will give you actual city/county/Wisconsin usage, but perhaps Eric Sorensen can help us in that area. You could also contact Jim Stetina, our library director, at 457-8204 for the data. Also, this may have changed, but I don't believe our late fees necessarily stay in the library. I have been told in the past that those fees go to a city account--so don't count on those fees supporting the WPL. Perhaps Eric could also clarify that.
Our libraries hold our culture within their walls. I have to say that to consider their worth based upon usage/need, etc. is chilling to me, even though I know that our library is used extensively and the need is huge. It's where young children discover that books can open doors never imagined--regardless of their family's resources. It's where people can read newspapers from all over the country. It's where you can find the Mona Lisa and Picasso in numerous art books, as well as many kinds of music, movies, magazines, how-to manuals, and books on tape. There are two monthly book discussions. Thanks to our director, there is usually an art exhibit in the Bell Art Room on the second floor. The staff is first rate. What an incredible gift we give to each other by supporting an institution as diverse as our library.
Vicki Englich
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