28 July 2022
Ella
By email: [FYI request #19831 email]
Tēnā koe Ella
Official information request regarding library fines
I refer to your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act)
dated 5 July 2022:
“I am interested in the total value of Victoria University of Wellington library fines
between the years of 2019-2021.
Specifically, I would like to know:
- The total value of all library fines for late, overdue and damaged books for
between the years of 2019-2021 (inclusive), including a breakdown of the value of
fines per year.
- The value of fines for overdue books in 2021.
- The number of library fine waivers granted by the library for the years of 2020
and 2021.
- Whether there is any policy of fine forgiveness in place upon the return of lost or
overdue books.”
The total value of all library fines for late, overdue and damaged books for
between the years of 2019-2021 (inclusive), including a breakdown of the
value of fines per year.
University Library management systems automatically identify potential fines/fees
although the majority of these are not subsequently charged to the borrower. Information
regarding outstanding fines and fees that have been charged to borrowers but have not
been paid cannot be made available without substantial collation and research. Therefore
this aspect of your request is refused in accordance with s18(f) of the Act.
The figures in the table below contain details of payments received for both fines and fees.
Identifying and calculating only fines that have been paid by borrowers would require
substantial collation and research. Therefore this aspect of your request is refused in
accordance with s18(f) of the Act.
Year
Fines and fees
2021
$5,101.43
2020
$5,291.04
2019
$8,536.91
The value of fines for overdue books in 2021.
Overdue fines for standard loan items were removed in 2018. Therefore this aspect of
your request is refused in accordance with s18(e) of the Act as the information does not
exist.
The number of library fine waivers granted by the library for the years of
2020 and 2021.
As per above, University Library management systems automatically identify potential
fines/fees although the majority of these are not subsequently charged to the
borrower.Specific information regarding fines that were levied and subsequently waived
cannot be made available without substantial collation and research. Therefore this
aspect of your request is refused in accordance with s18(f) of the Act.
Whether there is any policy of fine forgiveness in place upon the return of
lost or overdue books.”
Library fines are part of the Library’s borrowing conditions, available at:
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/library/how-to-use-the-library/borrow-request-and-interloan-
items/borrowing. As per above, overdue fines for standard loan items were removed in
2018.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the
decisions made regarding this request. Information about how to make a complaint is
available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email].
Ngā mihi nui
Blair Doherty
Senior Advisor, Official Information and Privacy
Legal Services
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington