Jack Forks
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
10 March 2017
Our ref: FOI 2017/042
Dear Mr Forks,
Request for Information under Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Thank you for your email which was received by the University on 17 February 2017 requesting the
following information:
1. The total amount of money the library received from the payment of overdue items. Exclude
costs of replacing lost books - this request solely relates to the cost of books that are
returned later than their due date.
2. Information about where this money then goes (is it absorbed into a specific library budget
for example? if so what one?)
3. If possible, from the figure provided in 1, break this down by
a) category of user paying fine (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate, staff)
b) country of origin of user paying fine (e.g. France, Italy, US). If only broader categories are
possible e.g. "EU", "non-EU" then please provide this instead.
University’s response
Note: The data provided is for the University administrative year, 1st August 2015 - 31st July 2016. This
is the same as the full reporting academic year - all our annual reporting both internally and externally
will reflect these dates. It should be noted however, that the first day of term, when teaching begins for
taught courses, will be later than the beginning of August and can vary between faculties
.
Information Governance Unit, University of Strathclyde, Room 2.52,
McCance Building, 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ
Email
: xxx@xxxxxx.xx.xx; Tel: 0141 548 5994
The place of useful learning
The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263
1. The total amount of money the library received from the payment of overdue items. Exclude
costs of replacing lost books - this request solely relates to the cost of books that are returned
later than their due date.
Total overdue fines paid between 01/08/2015 – 31/07/2016 - £17,158.23
2. Information about where this money then goes (is it absorbed into a specific library budget
for example? if so what one?)
The University library retains the money collected through fines. It is held in a single named budget line
within the library’s accounting structure. Over the years it has been used for a variety of purposes,
informed by the particular needs or identified strategic objectives in that year. e.g. to purchase
additional information resources which enhance the collection (new titles, additional copies for items in
high demand, e-journal archive back-files). Money has also been spent on library infrastructure to
support the development of new services or facilities. These will always seek to respond to customer
requests and enhance the customer experience e.g. refurbishment of study areas with new furniture
and updated technology, or installation of hardware that will expand the service offering for longer
periods of time (self-service issue and return machines).
3. If possible, from the figure provided in 1, break this down by
a) category of user paying fine (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate, staff)
Category of
User
Total fines
Undergraduate
£7,239.17
Postgraduate
£6,061.73
University Staff
£1,147.65
Unknown
£2,429.68
Other*
£280.00
TOTAL
£17,158.23
Please note the Library transferred to a new management system in May 2016. This transfer has
resulted in some user categories no longer being held, therefore, these have been recorded as
‘unknown’.
*other – These are predominantly external users making use of the library via national collaborative
agreements (SCONUL scheme) or agreements with other educational establishments within the
locality.
b) country of origin of user paying fine (e.g. France, Italy, US). If only broader categories are
possible e.g. "EU", "non-EU" then please provide this instead.
The Library does not record the nationality of its customers. Accordingly, I have to advise you under
section 17(1)(b) of the Act, that the University does not hold the information requested on this subject
and is not aware of any other public authority which may hold relevant information.
Copyright:
This information is supplied under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and copyright in it
belongs to the University of Strathclyde or to another party. Releasing this information to you under the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 does not convey a right to reuse that information in a way
that would infringe copyright. Copyright material must not be copied, stored, distributed, modified,
reproduced, transmitted, published (including published on the internet or intranet) in any form or by
any means or otherwise made available in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the
copyright holder.
Freedom of Information Review Procedure:
If you are unhappy with the University’s response, please contact the Information Governance Unit by
post or email to request a review of our actions.
Information Governance Unit
University of Strathclyde
Room 2.52
McCance Building
16 Richmond Street
Glasgow G1 1XQ
E-mail: xxx@xxxxxx.xx.xx
The University will then undertake an internal review and inform you of the result of that review.
All such requests for review should be made in writing, setting out in full the nature of the enquiry to
which it pertains, and stating why you are dissatisfied with the response. A request for review should
be submitted within 40 working days of either the date on which you received a response from the
University or the date by which you should have received a response under the terms of the Freedom
of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, whichever is the later.
Please note that links provided to information available elsewhere are intended to assist Freedom of
Information access. Requests for information held by other public authorities and any complaints
regarding access to such information should be addressed to that authority. These review procedures
relate only to information which is directly under the control of the University of Strathclyde.
If the University is unable to resolve any complaint, you can contact the Scottish Information
Commissioner, the independent body which oversees the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
A complaint to the Commissioner must be made within 6 months from the date of the University’s
response.
The Commissioner has an online appeal service which can be accessed via
www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal. Alternatively, you can contact the Scottish Information Commissioner via the following methods:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Tel: 01334 464610
Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info
E-mail:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx
Yours sincerely,
Information Governance Unit
University of Strathclyde