The Stavdals

Today we received an overdue loan fee of 100 kr in the mail. I am fully aware of the importance of returning what I've borrowed in time. It is still an outrage that the otherwise excellent and completely free of charge service which the library provides to the public, harshly penalizes those who unintentionally let such matters sink into oblivion.

Forgetting could cost a pretty penny

A week ago, we borrowed a dvd-film and our failing to remember the return due date will cost us 100 NOK. Obviously, we realize that In order to ensure that everyone has access to the materials one wants in a timely fashion, there need be some consequences, but having to pay 100 NOK for a dvd you can buy at any dvd-store for less, simply seems ridiculously stupid. Now we know what brilliant scheme Tromsø county has come up with to pay back the brand new, fancy library facilities. I guess they're praying people will forget to bring the borrowed items back after the first warning, because the fee will then keep increasing for every reminder one gets. No wonder they end the email with regards.

Here is an excerpt of the mail:

Tromsø, 01/09/2008

norsk:
PURRING PÅ FORFALTE LÅN
Følgende materiale er ikke levert innen forfall:

engelsk/english:
OVERDUE LOAN
We regret to inform you that the under mentioned item(s) is(are)
not delivered in accordance with our regulations:

bDVD : Favoritter fra Mummi 28/08/2008

norsk:
Det er et purregebyr på 100,- kroner. Vi gjør oppmerksom på at
purregebyret øker for hver ny purring som sendes ut.
Vær vennlig å innlevere lånet snarest, da andre kan ønske å låne
dem. Hvis det er feil ved meldingen, vennligst kontakt oss.

engelsk/english:
An overdue loan period is fined in accordance to the current
regulations decided by the Municipal Council.
Your fine is presently 100,- kr. The
fee will increase for every new reminder you get.
Please make arrangements to deliver the item(s) as soon as possible
and pay the fee accordingly.
Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you object to the content of this message.

Med vennlig hilsen
Tromsø bibliotek og byarkiv
Grønnegt. 94, 9008 Tromsø
www.tromso.kommune.no/biblioteket

With Regards
City Library and archive
City of Tromsø