Wednesday May 14, 2008
Errant borrowers fail to return more than 6,400 books to library
By ANURADHA RAGHU
JOHOR BARU: The reading campaign here seems to be successful, judging from the high number of books borrowed from the Sultan Ismail Library here.
But when it comes to honesty on the part of the borrowers, it is another story altogether. Of the 6,471 books borrowed from the library, only 40 have been returned.
Depleting numbers: A library worker showing the books that were returned to the Sultan Ismail Library in Larkin, Johor Baru. Only around 40 books have been returned so far. Library assistant officer Syahlizan Saimin said that since the month-long campaign was launched early this month, only 20 people have returned the books they borrowed.
“We are still short of more than 6,400 books borrowed by about 2,000 people. It is extremely disheartening,” he said, adding that many of the books were borrowed way back in 1999.
He added that the missing books cost about RM325,000.
The library has initiated several measures to coax borrowers to return the books, such as waiving the fine.
“We will not impose any fine for those who return the books by June 1, even if they are years overdue,” said Syahlizan, adding that each member could borrow up to three books.
He said that those whose books were lost would still have to pay a RM15 fine (RM7.50 for children’s books).
Johor Baru City Council community department director Abdul Rahman Abdullah, who oversees the library, said it was selfish of borrowers to keep the books.
“I hope that these people will come to their senses and return the books,” he said, adding that if the borrowers did not do so, the library would be forced to take action against them.
“We have plans to conduct house-to-house visits for those who are keeping a lot of our books, especially if they are valuable.”
He said it was possible to trace the borrowers back to their homes as all the information is in their records.
The Sultan Ismail Library currently holds about 440,000 titles, and has a membership of 62,442 since it opened 20 years ago.
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