This was posted 11 years 12 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Brisbane City Council Library Amnesty 2013

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Brisbane City Council Library Amnesty 2013
Go to Deal
Pumpkin_rrr on 19/12/2013 - 09:06 brisbane.qld.gov.au (105 clicks)

(Someone asked about Government's deal and hence this post of an email I received)

Dear XXX,

Amnesty on library fees available until 31 December 2013

Do you, or any of your family and friends owe library fees?

Council's 33 libraries are getting into the spirit of Christmas by offering to waive outstanding library fees and fines during December.

Customers who return their overdue books at a library during December 2013 will have any:

  • overdue fines
  • processing fees and
  • holds fees

waived in exchange for a donation of canned food.

If you have currently have any overdue fines or hold fees on your membership record, you can also have these fees waived in exchange for a can of food.

If you don't owe any fees or have any overdue items but would like to donate canned food, we will still gladly accept your donation.

This year, Council's library amnesty will donate all food to Foodbank Queensland, an organisation that distributes food to charities and community organisations who assist those in need.
Donations of canned food may include pet food. Perishable food items cannot be accepted.

Lost library items are not covered by the amnesty.

To take part in the 2013 library amnesty, visit your local Brisbane City
Council library between 1-31 December 2013 with your donation of canned food.

Books & Magazines Library

Related Stores

Queensland Government
Queensland Government

closed Comments

  • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 09:48
    -1

    I save up my many 80c hold fees (on latest LP guides I scan for overseas holidays) until this time each year & donate a 50c can to charity. I am a cheap bugger.

    • richox on 19/12/2013 - 09:52

      what value do you put on your time, though?

      • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 10:00
        +2

        Good point - never thought about that. I'll never do anything unless I am being paid & it's cost effective! Must remember to bill out my time on overseas holidays (up to 9 months a year) as well ;-)

        Borrowed about 10 guides this year costing 50c. To download would cost $100-350 (LP eBooks currently on special) vs scanning what I really wanted took about an hour - not all scanned (& was picking up other books at library when shopping). So that makes my time at least $100/hr.

        Scan while enjoying other things (tv/ music) & only scan a few chosen chapters taking under 15 minutes/guide (up to 300p on the $9 OB Dell printer deal). LP Intro chapters & maps are free to download.

        It's reading the books (in whatever format or however obtained) that takes the (unpaid) time.

        • richox on 20/12/2013 - 13:17

          Next option - just download the books (piracy). Easier and saves more money. Cuts out the middleman (library) and borrowing and scanning might be technically legal (though I'd think there is a law preventing unauthorised scanning and copying of the literature unless you own it).

          Even if there is no such copying law, it is the same net effect - the publisher benefits nothing from your efforts, much the same as they benefit nothing from direct internet piracy.

        • INFIDEL on 20/12/2013 - 20:28

          Cheapest way - visit a backpacker hostel. Guides are heavy & ditched along with other great stuff at the end of long holidays - ask where the free stuff is! I have so many free - found on my travels including 4 recent LP guides from trips since September - that's all I could carry! [Stacks of free food too - only spent about $30 in over 3 weeks in a Sydney backpacker hostel, as those leaving gave away their food!!] (Only bought 1 Guide Book (heavily discounted), LP UK, for a 3 month holiday in 2005.)

          Materials in libraries are assumed to be loaned, which is not allowed on personal copies, plus copied. That would be part of a licensing agreement. I understand Fees for copying were paid in the past - can't vouch for now.

          Photocopiers in libraries normally state copy limits under the Copyright Act. Under the Act provision of Fair dealing allows copying "10% of a book", which is about what I copy per book.

          [Many times I have an older copy of the guide & am only updating details. My copier's quoted scan rate is the upper limit, not what I bother copying. Most guides are just for ideas for travels, so just read & notes taken. But to get latest copy (in high demand, or not available in neighbouring libraries) a hold fee of 80c is charged - which was what was waived in this amnesty. I have only downloaded 1 book (novel) from a dubious source - it lacked formatting & was difficult to read, so I will pass on pirated LPs.]

          But with freshly released LP eBooks at $10, I will be buying online before Christmas. Got to use that windfall ;) https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/127404

    • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 10:42

      Saved me $8.50 - a bargain :-)
      But I knew about this deal & already had a tin out to take to the library today.

  • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 10:01
    -6

    Such a joke. Enforce the fines, give the profits to charity. Too many second chances for deadbeats in this country.

    • altomic on 19/12/2013 - 10:29
      +1

      deadbeats who at least borrow books

      • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 10:35
        +2

        And return them - a condition of the amnesty. Plus people get fed through the donation.

        Often those least able to pay the fine are those with little money. When fines build up, you no longer can borrow. That may mean children without books… the amnesty can help out.

        A real deadbeat would either not read, or not return books so others could read them, and certainly would not donate to charity!

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 11:08
          +1

          Lol Uninformed personal attack based on a comment.

          Yes I am generous… having set up & operated a business with all profits going to feed & house people who were having trouble making ends meet. I still regularly give away money. Just because I point out that I make a 50c donation in this case, does not mean I make no other gifts.

          And it is the cumulative effect of ALL donations that matters. Those in need would starve if the only donation was my tinned tomatoes ;-)

          I would encourage others to make a donation. I prefer to make my contributions in other more direct ways than through an institution. This year I volunteered in Myanmar, working in a desperately poor village.

          Failure to return borrowed items may not be the deliberate act you think. Books etc do not make it back on time for a variety of reasons (sickness, forgetfulness, mistake) which an arbitrary fine system does not take into account. (Best to discuss such cases & fine is often waived - but most do not know that.) Fines are an administrative procedure to facilitate effective systems, and may not be the most effective procedure.

          How many thousands of dollars have you donated? How many hundreds of hours have you volunteered? I have done both.

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 11:14
          -8

          Suddenly because you've done charity work you no longer have to return books on time forcing others to go without?

          You are purposely planing to exploit a loophole designed to encourage generosity to avoid being responsible for your own selfish actions. To make things worse, you planned to "donate" the bare-minimum of 50c.

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 11:21

          Lol again!

          If you actually read my original post, rather than misread what you wanted, you would have found no mention of me having any fines or not returning material on time.

          I have NO FINES (I hate books returned late, having worked as a volunteer in a library), just some administrative charges for booking holds on material not available in my local library. No kiddie did without, as I returned all material before the final date.

          The amnesty covers more than fines.

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 11:31
          -6

          So you are essentially duping funds from the library. Loss of revenue equals less books. Still selfish.

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 11:43

          Sorry you have such a negative view on life. No festive goodwill to others?

          More library use/users means more justification for increased funding = resources!

          This is a generous Christmas offer made by the library service (in the tradition of some religions to absolve past debts at this time of year).

          But you apparently think anyone taking up this gift in return for another gift (some smaller than others) is a deadbeat & an abuser of ratepayers? Pretty twisted viewpoint imo, especially on OB. Hope you enjoy the other gifts & bargains at this time of year - without too much complaint.

          I'm off to the library ;-)

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 11:49
          -6

          Sorry you have such a selfish, cheap and egoistical view on life. No consideration to other ratepayers?

          More library abusers = less funds being spend on resources!

        • Forfiet on 19/12/2013 - 13:55
          +2

          I think you should stop borrowing PainToads favourites from the Library…..He obviously hates waiting for them to returned. :)

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 14:06
          -2

          So many vote downs. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Personal responsibility and contributing to society rather than relying on handouts is probably a very foreign logic to many on OzBargainers.

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 14:45
          +1

          You do sound a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge, complaining about the expense of council gifts at Christmas. "Waive a $5.60 administrative charge for placing (7/year) holds so you can read books - NEVER! CALL THE BAILIFFS!! It's debtors prison for you Mr Brucefromaustralia."

          Your views and supporting misunderstandings gave me a good laugh ;-)

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 15:19

          Suggested titles??
          I think I see the influence of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' 1843 novel, "A Christmas Carol".

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 15:35
          -2

          There's no point discussing this further. You have the self-entitlement attitude that is ruining this country.

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 17:03

          All that huff & puff over my avoiding 7 x 80c admin fees using a known annual amnesty!

          (I avoided 4 more 80c hold charges because I read the books in the library instead of borrowing. The minimal marginal cost to the ratepayers was the same either way, and probably no more than the cost due to a book returned to a different library than borrowed at.)

          And I have made thousands of dollars of donations & do charitable work - such self-entitlement & ruin for Australia!

          A letter arrived yesterday without the 60c stamp being cancelled - which I may use again… call the major crimes squad ;-)

          Something poetic to end on…
          "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan
          http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/obrienj/poetry/hanraha…

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 17:23
          +2

          Maybe I'm a little cranky today :P

  • mick123 on 19/12/2013 - 10:14
    +1

    reminds me of this - one of the best scenes ever…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zePQavforA

  • RockyRaccoon on 19/12/2013 - 11:13

    How ridiculous.

    Next rack up fines and wait for an amnesty. That's a BARGAIN??

    Saves some book bogan's money but its NOT a bargain.

    Really Ozbargain is now becoming OzBogan

    Belongs in forums, filling up the front pages with junk

    • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 11:39

      Agree - all these type of offers belong in Forums. But at least this one has benefits not just to the user, but the community. Appeared here last year, stated in library email & in libraries.

      • RockyRaccoon on 19/12/2013 - 13:19
        +1

        Only thing is how does this benefit the community?

        Books fines are there for a reason.

        Not to raise revenue, but to ensure that the limited supply of books is made available to as many people as it can. Those who hold onto the books are frankly, selfish and not community minded.

        And like everything people do make mistakes, forget to return, get sick etc.

        Now donating cans helps the community, but that again doesnt make it a bargain. Likewise when discussions go off topic, while they may be great they need to be in the right place, otherwise where do you draw the line.

        Ozbargain is full of people who just want to do what they want and push whatever they think is the right thing. Problem is that it just dilutes the message which is bargains. Like Whirlpool its loosing its direction, which is a pity.

        here's some examples - these could all be posted under the same reasoning and are recent. Some actually had the idea before the BCC

        http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/news/50522/food-fines-ends-sunday-…
        http://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/2013/mr20131105…
        http://www.inverelltimes.com.au/story/1977367/food-for-fines…
        http://www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au/library/library_news_direct…

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 14:05
          +1

          Amnesty was once just to get people to return books, which is a benefit to the community & saves ratepayers the replacement, administrative & preparation costs associated with new books. The missing book title is rarely replaced - learnt when I had my bag of library books stolen, & paid the replacement value to consolidated revenue.

          You used to receive no fine, just not borrow until all material was returned.

          When fines were introduced, you could still borrow even with fines. But when fines reach set level ($10), no more loans (but fines for failing to return still mount). Those accumulated fines can exceed the value of the book, so people give up & never return them.

          To get amnesty, you still need to return all borrowed materials. The librarian I gave my donation to said she was just glad for the return of books (laughed when I showed her this heated discussion, and thanked me for my generous offering, cough cough).

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 14:08
          -2

          "saves ratepayers the replacement, administrative & preparation costs"
          Simple fix. Increase the fines to be more profitable. Those that don't pay within 12 months have the cost added to their property rates plus a hefty bonus penalty to cover the extra administration.

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 14:25

          Oh yeah!
          And take the children to court for a $10 fine!
          Many borrowers are not direct ratepayers.

          Increasing fines increases avoidance & decreases return of materials. The librarian said that's why they introduced the amnesty.

          My hold fees (only 7) were less than expected at $5.60, still a saving of $5.10. Of course this is not a bargain, just a nice gift at this time of year.

          Sent via the free WiFi from the library. Another rip off of the ratepayers?? ;-)

          Discussion of this council policy is way off topic & nothing to do with me, PainToad. Complain to your BCC councillor or library administration.

        • RockyRaccoon on 19/12/2013 - 14:47
          +1

          Benefit to the community is not a BARGAIN.

          As i said, do we post all these amnesty deals?

          I might just do that so we get some sensible approach here….

          Or maybe I can post a sighting of a speed camera so some of our members can save a fine, surely thats a better bargain than the few cents on an overdue book

        • INFIDEL on 19/12/2013 - 15:07
          +1

          This is of course NOT a current bargain. There is no deal anyone can go out to get now.

          You already needed to build up library fees/fines. You can then negate those with this annual amnesty/gift.

          But it can help others who might benefit in 2014. As such, it is a slow coming end of 2014 deal, assuming the same gift at the end of that year. That's how I benefited ($5.10/year!!) from last year's post :-)

          So like other annual benefits, belongs in the Forums.

        • PainToad on 19/12/2013 - 15:45
          -2

          Acquire debt with no intention of repaying isn't a "gift".

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 20/12/2013 - 21:21
    +1

    Thanks everyone for what a lively discussion!
    I only put this up having read someone asking for a Government deal.
    A decade ago before smart phone and Google Calender, with 4 cards in the family, I have copped A LOT of library fine. I remember sometimes I paid more than twenty dollars……. But I cannot not return them due to (1) shame (2) clutter (3) I still want to read some more! I then tried to go to Logan which did not fine.
    Now I have smart phone and reminders etc, I am still late in returning. One of the reason is because the access to the shopping centre where the library is located, has not become fee-paying and it's a pain to get into!
    We dont know how lucky we are to have all these wonderful facilities: nice aircon building, nice view, free internet, and so on. I must remember to patronise them more often.

    • INFIDEL on 20/12/2013 - 22:59

      Thanks Pumpkin_rrr
      But a late-returner!!! Oh PainToad will hate you ;)

      Assume its a library at a Westfield like mine.
      Luckily I take the (no gym fees) free exercise of a 5km round trip walk & avoid the parking hassles/fees at this time of the year.

      Of course returns & borrowing is at any BCC library, some with drop off boxes close to the street.

  • mjwills on 21/12/2013 - 22:44

    To avoid fees in future, check if your local library is supported by http://www.libraryelf.com/base/Libraries.aspx#intl .

    Free to use, and they send you an email when your item is about to be overdue. Most libraries nowadays let you extend your loan once or twice online. No need for late fees.

    If your local library has 'subscriber' written next to it, you get some other extra features for free too.

    • INFIDEL on 22/12/2013 - 15:17
      +1

      Good idea. But not necessary, as BCC Libraries do this already - if you provide your email address. Loans are generally for 4 weeks with 1 renewal if no one (like me) has placed a hold on it.

      eg (My only overdue notice in 2013, but had already returned on time to closed library. So no fine.
      This email was sent after 2 reminders that loan was expiring, first 3 days before expiry. So plenty of warnings.)

      Tuesday, 1 January, 2013
      Dear Bruce,

      Your record shows the following items as overdue (35 cents per item per day). Please return them as soon as possible.

      • If you have just returned these items in the book chute, please disregard this notice.

      You may be able to renew these items via eLibCat at https://elibcat.library. brisbane.qld.gov.au

      • Login to my eLibCat with your library barcode and PIN. Your PIN could be last four digits of phone/mobile, year of birth, postcode or any 10 digit alpha-numeric PIN. * Click on "My Account" and then "Renew My Checkouts". One renewal is permitted per item. You will be unable to renew items that are on hold for other customers, or if fees are owing. Please call your library if assistance is required.
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