The majority of Helsinki's libraries are giving up cash
Small and medium-sized libraries will no longer accept cash payments from 1 January 2016 onwards.
However, the following ten libraries will continue to offer a cash payment option:
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Itäkeskus
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Kallio
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Library 10
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Malmi
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Oulunkylä
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Pasila
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Pohjois-Haaga
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Rikhardinkatu
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Töölö (currently being renovated)
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Vuosaari
– The libraries that will continue to offer a cash payment option were chosen primarily based on the number of transactions. We have also made sure that libraries that will continue to accept cash can be found in different parts of the city, says Finance Manager Ari Tirri from Helsinki City Library.
Mobile libraries and the Sakarinmäki Children's Library will continue to offer no payment options.
Working time freed up for library work
Cash payments are declining throughout Finland while the use of payment cards and online payments are increasing.
– From the perspective of the library's finances, reducing cash funds results in savings and allows library staff to devote more of their time to actual library work, says Ari Tirri.
In fact, reducing cash funds will free up approximately 400 days of working time per year for library work. In addition to this, reducing the handling of cash reduces a number of risks, such as the possibility of theft.
Things to keep in mind as a library customer
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You can accumulate up to 30 euros of library fees before losing your borrowing rights.
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The easiest way to pay your accumulated library fees is to pay by payment card at a library or use the online payment option at HelMet.fi.
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Accepting payment card payments is more economical and safer for libraries than accepting cash payments. Paying by payment card does not incur additional costs to the payer.
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You can easily find your nearest library that accepts cash payments in the Libraries and Services section of HelMet.fi.
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The overdue fee for adults is 20 cents/loan/day. The maximum overdue fee is 6 euros/loan.
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Reservations can be made free of charge.
100 loans, 50 reservations, 5 renewals
The customers of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area's HelMet libraries can have up to one hundred loans at a time. Customers can also have up to 50 active reservations at a time. Loans can be renewed up to five times as long as there are no outstanding reservations for the material.
E-library loans are returned automatically once the loan time is over, meaning that they cannot accrue overdue fees.
The change in cash payments only concerns libraries in Helsinki. HelMet Libraries in Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen will continue to accept cash payments as before.
More information:
Text: Maisa Hopeakunnas
Photo: Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto