There is a need to offer Library patrons (mainly but not exclusively Students) the means to pay overdue fines electronically using credit/debit card, either through the web or via 3M selfcheck units in libraries.

• The Library charges fines on overdue borrowed items in order to deter Library patrons from retaining items beyond the due date: the objective is to ensure lending items are available to all patrons to borrow, and so maintain the circulation of lending stock.
• Library patrons currently pay overdue fines in cash at Library Helpdesks or by chip and pin at Main Library and Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library Helpdesks.  In 2013/14 the total sum collected was over £90000.
• Payments are often of very small amounts, mainly coinage.  All this money is recorded in tills, counted, bagged, collected and then processed by the Cash Office.  This Session (01 August to 18 November 2014) there have been 2982 interactions with Helpdesks where payments have been taken (most being multiple fine payments). These are not counted in Quick Call statistics.
• Patrons with outstanding fines of £10 are blocked from borrowing: if the Helpdesks are closed there is no way to pay fines to continue borrowing.
• Large sums of outstanding fines are not paid: when patrons leave the University,  only those with fines or fees (other charges) over £25 are contacted before leaving to request payment and many do not comply.

There is an opportunity to do this in concert with the implementation of the new LMP.