ABSTRACT
The author examines the overdues procedures of a medium-sized public library that has been able to greatly reduce its overdues rate. The library sends two notices, gives a six-day grace period in circulated materials, employs one fine slip, and relies on legal action for patrons with over $50 in materials overdue. Sample forms are appended.
(Editor’s note: A recent best-seller on management sought lessons on managerial excellence by looking at outstanding companies. Likewise, the following article outlines the overdues procedure for a public library which, based on the 1983 Burgin and Hansel survey, is an outstanding performer in the overdues realm. While the Rowan Public Library has an overdues rate at the last due date (13.50 percent) which is close to the mean for all libraries in the survey (13.95 percent), by eight weeks past the due date, Rowan’s overdues rate (.35 percent) is substantially lower than the mean for all libraries surveyed (3.00 percent). At one year, that difference persists (.44 percent to 1.15 percent).
In addition to the information supplied by Ms. Moxley, the following may be gathered from Rowan’s annual report to the State Library and from Rowan’s survey form. The Rowan Public Library serves a population of 100,230 with a staff of 28.8 FTEs and a 1982–83 operating budget of $572,770. An estimated 23 hours per week of staff time are devoted to overdues, at a cost of approximately $6,090 per year. A 5¢ per day fine is charged on all overdue materials; in 1982–83, total annual income from fines was $6,951.02. The Rowan Public Library circulates books for twenty-one days and renews them, although not by telephone. Rowan uses a Gaylord charging machine for recording circulation transactions.)
