About a year ago, we started tracking everything we said no to at the desk. The plan was to identify what people expected to find at the library, what service we should be offering. We wanted to try and get to the yes. We have done just that with the vast majority of the no's - this is why we offer faxing, for instance.
But the no we had to say the most, and the most difficult to turn into a yes, was "Can I pay with my debit card (credit card)?" It seems like it should be an easy thing, after all we pay with credit/debit everywhere it seems. Why shouldn't we be able to at the library? Well, it turns out that it isn't that easy. Providing this service involves seriously complex forms, reporting, costs, training, and much more. So we explored some solutions. There are some simple solutions which unfortunately can't be used for fines rather than purchases. And then a great solution came up as a result of our membership in GMILCS and the circulation system we use.
So we now have made that no a yes. You can now pay your fines from the comfort of your home (or anywhere you have secure internet access), just by logging into your account. Click on Fines and Fees on the left menu, select the transaction you want to pay, and click on Pay Fines Now! Yes, there is a convenience fee that will help to defray the costs everyone who accepts debit/credit cards gets hit with. If that seems too much, you can always pay with cash or check at the library.
It is always good to have options. But it is great to be able to say Yes!
