Monitoring user debts and debt recovery in public libraries: the case of the Kranj City Library
Kranj City Library is one of the largest Slovenian public libraries, which, like most Slovenian libraries, also deals with the debts of its users. Prohit Claims Management Agency helps us to collect the debts. Before collection by an external contractor, we first carry out a series of procedures in the library to collect the debts ourselves. We regularly monitor the debts of library users and inform them about their debts. Users can settle their debts in person at the library or online. We analysed the last three years (from August 2019 to August 2022) in more detail because we were interested in how successful the library is in collecting debts, how many debts are written off for various reasons and how efficient the debt management agency is. In the analysis, we were interested in how many cases regarding unreturned items and unpaid debts were handed over to the agency for collection and how many of these cases were successfully resolved. Based on the data analysis, we found that the library collects most of the debts itself. The agency, however, is very successful at resolving the difficult-to-collect receivables that were handed over to them.
Keywords
- Year: 2022
- Volume (number): 27 (1-2)
- Published: 9. 12. 2022
- Article number: 2227005
Related Posts
Hospital libraries and services for patients: the case of URI Soča
Hospital libraries are essential for providing professional information and help with professional work and research to healthcare staff and for supporting patients. Following IFLA recommendations and other standards, they are expected to offer access to information as well as activities that relax, entertain and aid the healing process. Reading during hospitalization can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, while promoting recovery.
Dobreknjige.si portal: entering a new decade with enhanced features
Dobreknjige.si is an online platform designed for readers seeking high-quality fiction and non-fiction recommendations. As a national project of Slovenian public libraries, it helps users organize their reading and connect with fellow readers, and promotes a vibrant reading culture. The portal attracts over two million visits annually, with its popularity steadily increasing. After a decade of operation, a major upgrade became necessary due to outdated technology, limited development possibilities and the need to meet modern user expectations.
Researching reading habits and reading culture of Slovenian librarians: methodological issues
The paper describes the methodology of a study of reading habits and reading culture of librarians and library management in Slovenian libraries, which is a part of a broader survey in the project Reading role models: reading habits of professional staff in kindergartens, schools and faculties and public libraries – i.e. a study of all professionals involved in and influencing reading literacy and reading culture, as well as of students for these professions.
Implementation of the Libraries of Emotions project in the Kranj City Library – experiences and challenges
Kranj City Library is the central regional library, which, among other things, implements programs for reading literacy, information literacy, lifelong learning and intergenerational cooperation. In this context, we joined the international project Libraries of Emotions with the aim of introducing an innovative reading promotion service. In the paper, the project and the process of implementing practical content were presented.
Reading behaviour of students at the University of Ljubljana in a mobile environment
Foreign research reports low use of mobile devices for reading e-texts among students, so we investigated mobile reading behaviour among UL students. Since the results of the online survey showed that low use of mobile devices for reading e-texts is also characteristic of UL students, we wanted to investigate in more detail the reasons and barriers to the use of mobile devices for reading e-texts.
Professional self-confidence in reading literacy promotion
Participation in professional events in the fields of reading literacy and reading culture has a positive impact on boosting professional self-confidence. The available data reflects the accessibility of professional events for the promotion of reading literacy and reading culture in Slovenia. Practitioners attend such training, but at the same time, they doubt their competence to encourage and plan the development of reading literacy and reading culture.
COBISS+ user experience
User experience is becoming an increasingly important aspect of the quality of services, products and even bibliographic information systems. Due to the lack of comprehensive research into user experience in bibliographic information systems, we developed a questionnaire, covering all key dimensions and aspects of user experience and taking into account the specificities of bibliographic information systems.
Users in the COBISS environment – experiences at the Public Library of Užice
In 2019, the Public Library of Užice conducted a survey to assess the level of user knowledge of the search process in COBISS/OPAC (now COBISS+). The survey consisted of the following segments: user profile, most commonly used access points, use of screen tips and ease of searching, and user evaluation of the search results obtained.
Competencies of librarians and informatologists: challenges in the time of social and cultural changes
In this paper we discuss the competencies of librarians and informatologists, terminological disagreements as well as attempts to investigate the various paths of influence on academic education in the field of Information sciences.
New approaches to didactics and the role of school librarian in the educational process
The paper presents a critically based overview of didactic approaches and models that have been developing as a part of the education idea in 21st century. The discussion is focused on challenges provoked by information and telecommunication technology and its applications in the educational processes.
