With libraries losing funding like water through a sieve, it only makes sense to keep track of the money that’s owed by delinquent patrons. The Ottawa Public Library is doing just that, installing a computer program that will keep tabs electronically on scofflaw book borrowers.
Although they’ve already been using the services of a collection agency, the Library is planning to get them connected to a debt-collection program and recover what they estimate is more than $1 million in late fees. Story here .
Collections on patrons? Are you kidding?
By all means, don’t let them check out new materials until they’ve paid their fines, but seriously, a collections agency?! A collections agency is for one thing: threatening the credit rating of another. Is this how we treat out patrons? Aren’t those who pick up some overdue fines also the ones that use the library the most?
Am I the only one that fines this wholly offensive?