Universities have £50 Million of Debt Collected

Universities across the UK have collected almost £50 million in library fines for overdue books.

The University of Leeds was the biggest gainer with collection of almost £1.8 million while the Imperial College London propped up the rest with collection figures of only £26,703.

Library book fines from universities tend to start frmo 10p per day so the massive amounts show the huge volumes of books that are being returned late – if at all with over 300,000 books currently unaccounted for.

Bucks New University has the highest amount of  missing books with 30,540 unaccounted for, closely followed by Oxford University with 20,923 and then the University of Kent with 19,613 books.

The problem itself has manifested to such an extent that many Universities no longer allow students to graduate until overdue fines are paid.

As little as a £5 debt at Exeter University will prevent graduation, as will £20 at Lancaster University or £25 at the University of Glasgow.

Other universities said they would instruct debt collection agencies if the library debts were part of other larger debts owed, such as fees and accommodation.