Penn State Intercom......March 6, 2003
Senate backs payroll
deductions for library fines 
The Faculty Senate will for ward to President Graham B. Spanier a recommendation that the University institute a payroll deduction plan as the required manner for the collection of University Libraries fines and fees from current faculty and staff who give permission for such deductions.
Although a system of payroll deduction had been instituted by the University Libraries last May, and the process of faculty/staff sign-off had started, the work was suspended pending additional consultation among libraries staff and the Faculty Senate because of concerns expressed by some faculty.
The recommendation, voted for by a majority of Faculty Senate members at the Feb. 25 meeting, also calls for the establishment of an appeals committee at each library location to provide due process in any cases of dispute about such fines or fees. These committees must include representation from faculty and staff and must be in place by the time of implementation of the payroll deduction plan.
The policy requires faculty and staff library users to sign an agreement for payroll deduction of any fines or fees they incur if they wish to charge out library materials. Those who do not sign may still use the library, but may not charge out materials. The nearly 5,000 users who had already signed up last summer when the policy was first instituted do not have to sign again.
According to a report from the Senate Committee on Libraries, the majority of faculty and staff act responsibly by respecting the University Libraries policies requiring renewal of materials; payment for lost materials so that similar materials can be purchased; and making materials accessible when "recalled" if others need materials that are checked out. However, the report notes that a visible minority has not been responsive to overtures from the University Libraries to either return material or pay for material declared lost, resulting in a serious "accounts receivable" problem.
As of the end of the spring 2002 semester, library records showed that 317 faculty members had outstanding fees of $40,460 and that staff members had outstanding fees of $13,194.
The billing cycle for outstanding fees for faculty and staff is being reduced from 18 months to six months, with a fine instituted at 30 days that is revocable if the materials are returned within 60 days of the date due.
Student bills are now referred to the Bursars Office and handled through its collection process. As of the end of the spring 2002 semester, current students had outstanding fees of $87,283. Non-current faculty/staff/students and all other patrons had a combined outstanding fees total of $196,393 that will be recouped through a collection agency yet to be selected.