My personal opinion on this issue, which could start a Mich-lib email storm, but here it is anyway (I get the Mich-lib digest, so maybe there’s already a conversation going that I haven’t yet seen):

The purpose of fines and fees is to protect library assets that people check out and do not return timely or do not return at all. I don’t believe accessing the computer has any relation to this issue. So I don’t see a need to prohibit computer use because someone owes fines related to physical materials. We, of course, don’t allow them to check out additional physical materials when they have fines at an egregious level, but that makes perfect sense. Though removal of computer privileges could be a motivation to pay fines, but I don’t believe it’s justified.

In the spirit of “creative conflict” dialogue,

Kay

------------------------------------------------------------------

Kay Schwartz

Director

Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48502

Phone: 810-249-2038

Fax: 810-249-2633

Email: kschwartz@fpl.info

From: Emma Olmstead-Rumsey [mailto:erumstead@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 3:58 PM
To: Jaema Berman
Cc: michlib-l@mail.mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Patron Fines affect on Computer privileges.

Hi Jaema,

Good luck with your review. Capital Area District Libraries in Central Michigan has such a policy. It's online at: http://www.cadl.org/files/7714/1288/7868/SER_105A_Computer_Use_Policy.pdf.

Best,

Emma Olmstead-Rumsey

On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 3:23 PM, Jaema Berman <jberman@tln.lib.mi.us> wrote:

Dear Colleagues,
We are in the process of rewriting our computer use policy and wondered if any of you have policies that connect patrons' fines with the ability to use the public computers.

Sincerely,
Jaema Berman


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Jaema Berman
Director
Addison Twp. Public Library
1400 Rochester Rd.
Leonard, MI 48367
Phone: 248-628-7180
Fax: 248-628-6109
http://www.addisontwp.michlibrary.org

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
Margaret Fuller
1810-1850
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. ~ Francis Bacon

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