The next time your book is overdue at Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, you’ll be charged an “extended
use fee” instead of being slapped with a fine.
The penalty is the same—25 cents a day for books and a dollar a day for video tapes, DVDs and CDs. Oops, sorry about
that. Actually, it isn’t even a penalty. The system no longer judges your motive or even the veracity of your memory.
“It’s in keeping with the language that’s being used in libraries around the country,” explains library
spokeswoman Maria Blake. “It goes from sounding a bit punitive to an indication that people had for whatever reason
chosen to keep items beyond the due date.”
The library launched the new language this month to varied response. One patron charged the library with political correctness.
Others are saying a fine should simply be called a fine, and still others don’t care.
Through July this year, the library has collected $954,743 in fines, err, fees, down slightly from the same stretch last
year, Blake says, but she doesn’t know if the new language has changed behavior at other libraries.
Your turn: How do you like the change?
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Pimlico
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While I understand the severity of their actions as well as everyones eagerness to hold them responsible for thier lost funds, these gentlemen did know how to make money. Dispite thier poor decisions over the ownership of Fair they had made several wise investments which paid them greatly. This proves they do have the potential to rebuild so they can repay. I do not feel they should live the life of luxuary but given an opportunity could they find ways of repaying the debts? They are doing nothing now but being a burden on tax payers. Just a thought!!!!!
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You guys have some "interesting" comments to say the least. I hope you will call in and share those opinions starting June 1. I'm looking forward to having you on the air.
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Does anyone do any real research before they slap these things onto the internet?
"Because other libraries are doing it" doesn't mean it's a good idea. To paraphrase Mom, if all the other libraries started jumping off a cliff, would they do it too?
I don't even mind the value judgment, because if I've kept a book beyond the time it is lent to me, I've done something wrong and I should be punished. Look at it this way: a library is for the benefit of the community, not for the individuals in the community. (subtle difference) I know that it's important to the health of the system to keep materials circulating. If I harm the system by not returning my books on time, then I pay restitution in the form of cash. That makes me responsible to the entire community, whereas an "extended use fee" makes it seem as if I can buy my way into making my needs more important than those of everyone else.
If we encourage a community approach to our shared resources, then a sense of personal responsibility goes along with it.