THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 3,000 books at State Central Library have not been returned for the last one decade as per the data compiled by the library officials. The biggest debtor among the borrowers in terms of late payment fee is a member who had borrowed books in 2005 and he owes the library Rs 18,000 as fine.
With long forgotten copies of rare books and the overdue fines the library is now planning to go for one time settlement of the dues and retrieve the books that are available. The borrowers with overdue books and hefty outstanding fines can clear their records in October. The members of the library who have failed to return the books and magazines on time and those who have lost the books till December 31, 2012 are supposed to pay the negotiated fine by the library.
According to state librarian of State Central Library, P K Shobhana, this was the only solution to retrieve the books and magazines that have been missing from the racks of library for years.
"There are more than 2,000 borrowers, both residents and non-residents of the city, who are yet to pay the dues. It was shocking to find out that many rare copies of the library books were not returned. Some books that are yet to be returned were published in 1970. Though we have prepared estimate of the dues till 2012, the dues after that will also be received if the borrowers surrender the books or magazine and pay respective fine amount," said Shobhana.
The borrowers will be sent a notification to their respective district collector office regarding their amount of due and books that he/she owns.
"We have put a discount of 20% on the overdue payment on each book and 5% on magazines. If the member has lost the book then he or she has to buy a new one. If it is not available in the market, the price of the book should be paid to the library," said the librarian.
For the deceased borrowers, the library has given an exemption from fine as the relatives need to only surrender the borrowed material.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Library-plans-one-time-settlement-of-dues/articleshow/48853681.cms
With long forgotten copies of rare books and the overdue fines the library is now planning to go for one time settlement of the dues and retrieve the books that are available. The borrowers with overdue books and hefty outstanding fines can clear their records in October. The members of the library who have failed to return the books and magazines on time and those who have lost the books till December 31, 2012 are supposed to pay the negotiated fine by the library.
According to state librarian of State Central Library, P K Shobhana, this was the only solution to retrieve the books and magazines that have been missing from the racks of library for years.
"There are more than 2,000 borrowers, both residents and non-residents of the city, who are yet to pay the dues. It was shocking to find out that many rare copies of the library books were not returned. Some books that are yet to be returned were published in 1970. Though we have prepared estimate of the dues till 2012, the dues after that will also be received if the borrowers surrender the books or magazine and pay respective fine amount," said Shobhana.
The borrowers will be sent a notification to their respective district collector office regarding their amount of due and books that he/she owns.
"We have put a discount of 20% on the overdue payment on each book and 5% on magazines. If the member has lost the book then he or she has to buy a new one. If it is not available in the market, the price of the book should be paid to the library," said the librarian.
For the deceased borrowers, the library has given an exemption from fine as the relatives need to only surrender the borrowed material.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Library-plans-one-time-settlement-of-dues/articleshow/48853681.cms
