Students Perception of Charging Fines for Overdue Books: Case of Islamia College of Science and Technology Library

Abstract

The study explores the students. perception of fines charged by libraries for overdue books, etc., borrowing privileges, and lending periods in an Indian academic library. The study seeks to discover the extent to which borrowers are satisfied towards borrowing privileges, lending periods, and fine amount. The study also seeks to examine to what extent fines are perceived by the borrowers to be a deterrent to overdue library materials, how borrowers feel when asked to pay fine, whether the fines should be scrapped in future or not, and whether or not the level of fine is sufficiently high to compel the users to return the library materials on time. The research method for this study was the survey method using a questionnaire to collect data. The findings of the study reveal that majority of the borrowers are satisfied with the borrowing privileges, lending periods, and the fine amounts. The majority of the respondents feel that library fines encourage users to return the borrowed items on time. Most of the students favoured discontinuation of fines in future, besides consulting them about the amount to be fixed as fine. Majority of students prefer keeping books beyond due date and paying fine later. No significant differences were found between genders and faculties (Science, Commerce, Management) wrt their perception of library fines. The recommendations can help libraries to devise policies regarding library fines.

http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.31.6.1315