Library Technology Trends
To Fine or Not To Fine? This is the QuestionAnthony Chow,
[email protected] Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Library and
Information StudiesThe University of North Carolina at
Greensboro--Christian BurrisHead of Serials Acquisitions, Wake
Forest [email protected] --Chase Baity--David Rachlin
OverviewStudy IntroductionLiterature ReviewResearch
MethodFindingsDiscussion and Recommendations
2 of 34IntroductionUNCG New Faculty GrantWhat impact will the
use of positive reinforcement have on patron behavior in returning
library resources on time?Will the use of positive reinforcement
lead to more positive user perceptions of the library?Will the use
of positive reinforcement lead to higher circulation of library
resources per patron?
3 of 34LiteratureSome libraries are starting to rethink the use
of fines as there is a growing concern about its negative effect on
public perception and library patrons (Towsey, 2008)A recent study
found that 41% of 12-17 year old youth surveyed no longer visited
the library because they owed over due fines (Heeger, 2007).When
amnesty programs are implemented that allow creative ways for
previous patrons to exonerate themselves by reading to kids,
donating to a good cause, or use of an anonymous fine jar, they are
often extremely successful (Green, 2008; Heeger, 2007; US Fed News,
2005; Ries-Taggart, 2004).4 of 34Christian.4Reinforcement &
PunishmentFrom a behavioral psychology stand point, fines serve as
both a punishment (adverse stimulus intended to decrease
undesirable behavior returning books late) and as negative
reinforcement (threat of punishment is removed if library resources
are returned on time). Either way, ironically, the actual desired
behavior of returning a library resource on time is usually never
rewarded or even acknowledged for that matter by the
library.Turning library resources in on time is expected and
assumed; it is only when something is overdue that patrons are
contacted by the library. This situation is counterintuitive to
several research grounded tenets about human behavior and rewards
and punishments desired behaviors to be strengthened and increase
should be positively reinforced, undesirable behaviors to be
decreased should be punished, reinforcement in general is stronger
and more effective then punishment, and using them both (rewards to
increase desired behavior, punishments to reduce undesired
behavior) is the most powerful combination of all.
5 of 34Anthony5Reinforcement TheoryCarrot and the StickBoth
stimulate the medial orbitofrontal cortexCarrot or stick? Its the
same
Apply ReinforcementWithhold ReinforcementEncourage
BehaviorPositive Reinforcement Extra attention Praise MoneyNegative
Reinforcement Remove punishmentDiscourage Behavior
Punishment Reprimands Ignore completely CriticismExtinction
Consistently ignore No pay raises No nothing!6 of 30Anthony6Fines
and Reinforcement TheoryCarrot and the StickBoth stimulate the
medial orbitofrontal cortexCarrot or stick? Its the same
Apply ReinforcementWithhold ReinforcementEncourage
BehaviorPositive Reinforcement Extra attention Praise MoneyNegative
Reinforcement Remove punishmentDiscourage Behavior
Punishment Reprimands Ignore completely CriticismExtinction
Consistently ignore No pay raises No nothing!ReturnReturnReturn7 of
30Rewards and Avoiding punishment are equalsAvoiding or dodging
punishment is its own rewardIn other words fear of a fine and joy
of not paying it are equals:1-1=0
8 of 34Rationale for finesGet resources back on timeRevenue
generatorTeach responsibility9 of 34Christian9Study HypothesesH1:
G1 and G2 will check out more items than G3H2: G1 and G2 will have
less overdue items than G3H3: G1 and G2 will have less fines than
G3H4: G1 and G2 will be more satisfied than G3H5: G1 will be most
satisfiedH6: G2 overall will have less overdue items and fines10 of
34Anthony10Lets empirically test itGroupResources Checked OutOver
Due InstancesOver Due FinesSatisfaction Rating1 + only2 +/-3 -
onlyWhat impact will the use of positive reinforcement have on
patron behavior in returning library resources on time?Will the use
of positive reinforcement lead to more positive user perceptions of
the library?Will the use of positive reinforcement lead to higher
circulation of library resources per patron?11 of 3411Method85
university undergraduate students were randomly sampled and
stratified into new and returning student
groups:GroupReturningNewTOTALS#%#%#%(1) + only1518%1619%3136%(2)
+/-1416%1416%2833%(3) - only1214%1416%2631%TOTALS4148%4452%85100%12
of 34Christian12Method (2)Randomly sampled through institutional
researchGroup 1 Rewards onlyIf checked out and returned items on
time with no over dues:Get out of jail free cardThank you
emailInvitation to MVP receptionExtended one week checkout
privilegesGroup 2 Same as G1 along with traditional finesGroup 3
Control group (no change)Three data collection points of
circulation history and finesBaseline 10/09Set 2 12/09Set 3
2/10
13 of 34Christian13FindingsUsage and Return Rates (Sept. Dec.
2009)GroupReturningNewTOTALSOverdue% Overdue% Ontime1 +
only137241613019%81%2 +/-141271682615%85%3 -
only634671928%73%TOTALS341553967520%80%14 of 34Findings (2)
Resources and Overdue ItemsGroupResources Checked outOver
Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1) +
only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.415
of 34Findings (3)GroupResources Checked outOver
Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1) +
only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.4H1:
G1 and G2 will check out more items than G316 of 34Findings
(4)GroupResources Checked outOver Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1)
+ only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.4H2:
G1 and G2 will have less overdue items than G317 of 34Findings
(5)GroupResources Checked outOver Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1)
+ only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.4H3:
G1 and G2 will have less fines than G318 of 34Findings
(6)GroupResources Checked outOver Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1)
+ only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.4H4:
G1 and G2 will be more satisfied than G319 of 34Findings
(7)GroupResources Checked outOver Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1)
+ only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.4H5:
G1 will be most satisfied20 of 34Findings (8)GroupResources Checked
outOver Due%FinesSatisfactionRNRNRNRN(1) +
only1372426419%$172.00$40.009.09.1(2)
+/-1412721515%$16.00$6.759.07.7(3) -
only63416328%$51.00$1.258.18.5TOTALS341556312$239.00$48.008.78.4H6:
G2 overall will have less overdue items and fines21 of 34Findings
(9) Participants believe rewards would have impact.
Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree22 of 34Findings (10) Reward
effectiveness?
Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree23 of 34Which is more
effective?
24 of 34Should libraries offer rewards?
25 of 34Would rewards positively impact perceptions of
libraries?
26 of 34What do librarians think?Good idea, hard to
implementNoticed no impact of participating studentsNo one used
fine waiver certificates
27 of 34Conclusions & RecommendationsStudys hypotheses were
supportedRQ1: What impact will the use of positive reinforcement
have on patron behavior in returning library resources on
time?Positive impactPatrons and Librarians agree a combination
would be more effectiveRQ2: Will the use of positive reinforcement
lead to more positive user perceptions of the library?Yes, overall
satisfaction rating for G1 was statistically significantly
higher
28 of 34RQ3: Will the use of positive reinforcement lead to
higher circulation of library resources per patron?Yes G2 (6.0), G1
(5.2), and G3 (4.7)Conclusions & Recommendations (2)29 of
34Reinforcement only higher satisfaction, more items, more overdue
and higher finesReinforcement plus fines less overdue, less fines,
lower satisfaction than reinforcement onlyFine only less items,
more overdue, less satisfactionConclusions & Recommendations
(3)30 of 34Rewards were not very effective:Intrinsic more than
extrinsic motivations for checking out itemsMVP receptions were
poorly attendedSuggestions:First dibsAdvisory board or online
survey to help choose booksExtended check-outsThanks is niceFree
raffles
Conclusions & Recommendations (4)31 of 34Rewards and
Avoiding punishment are equalsIn other words fear of a fine and joy
of not paying it are equals:1-1=0 (neutralizes)Adding a
reward:1-1+1=1 !!!
Overdue fineNot Paying itRewardMotivation to RETURN is
stronger!!!32 of 34Thank You!!Anthony Chow [email protected]
Christian Burris [email protected] 33 of 34References34 of 34Green,
E.R.(2008). The lighter side of the bookshelves: Should libraries
fine for late books? Colorado Libraries v. 34 no. 3 (2008) p. 62,
Heeger, P.B. (2007). Better Late Than Never.School Library
Journal,53(2), Retrieved January 26, 2009, from Research
Librarydatabase. Oder, N. (2006). Philadelphia Backs Off Fine
Policy. Library Journal, 131(3), 20-20. Pew Internet & American
Life Project (2004). New Report Finds Libraries Help Close Digital
Divide but Struggle to Sustain Public Access Computing Services.
Retrieved on January 29th from
http://www.pewinternet.org/press_release.asp?r=74 Ries-Taggart,
J.T. (2004). Columbus Metropolitan Library Allows Kids to Read Off
Fines.Public Libraries,43(1),16. Rodney, M. J., Lance, K. C., and
Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2003). The Impact of Michigan school
librarians on academic achievement: Kids who have libraries
succeed. Lansing, MI: Library of Michigan. Towsey, M. (2008, July).
Abolish public library fines!. Library & Information Update,
7(7/8), 30-30. US Fed News Service (2005). Library Fines Headed To
Tsunami Relief. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from Research
Librarydatabase.
