Over the last few months, a small working group of CUG (Christine Drever, Gail Horbay, and Brenda Butler) has been investigating fines in academic libraries through reading the literature, conversations with other Canadian academic libraries, and looking at our local situation. The working group’s report with recommendations was presented to CUG in March, followed by further discussion at the Dean’s Team. The efforts of that working group and of CUG as a whole have resulted in improved client-focused service and a reduction in service barriers.

Beginning Thursday 1 May:

• the loan period for regular stack items has been increased to 30 days (from 3 weeks).
• fines for overdue regular stack items have been removed; however, there are still fines on overdue recalled, reserve, and ILL items.
• the time period between when an item becomes overdue and when a BFR is issued will be reduced to 30 days (from 52 days).
• library staff will encourage clients to place requests on desired items that are currently out — thus generating a recall notice and revised due date.

Thank you CUG and Gail, Brenda, and Christine for your work in bringing these changes to fruition!