Changes on library fines considered

Council is considering changing its collection of library fines at city libraries, including Woy Woy and Umina libraries, because the present system costs $14,000 per year across the municipality.

Council's director of corporate and community services, Mr Chris Gallagher, said there were 58,647 overdue items and 24,871 notices posted.

"Fines collected for 12 months were just over $35,000," he said.

Around 1000 items totalling $20,000 in value were not returned each year. These were usually the more popular titles.

"The cost of staff time in administrating the system is substantial."

Mr Gallagher said that, if the number of overdue books was reduced by 10 per cent, it would equate to another 5800 books on the shelves.

Mr Gallagher proposed that items on loan only be renewed once, not twice, and one notice, not two, be sent for overdue items.

He also proposed that fines not be payable if items were returned within seven days of a notice, rather than upon receipt of the notice.

Customers would still be able to borrow until their fines totalled $10 or more, but they would not be able to borrow while any item remained overdue.

The director also proposed a two-month amnesty so customers with overdue items could return them without the need to pay their fine.

Carl Spears, March 6