By Nicholas Yong

THE threat of losing their borrowing privileges spurred some 160,000 library users to settle their unpaid fines and charges last month.

This allowed the National Library Board (NLB) to recover more than $500,000 within four weeks of sending out reminder notices to about 700,000 tardy members. About $250,000 was spent on the mailers.

Under new borrowing rules that take effect from April 1, members who owe the library money will no longer be allowed to borrow unless they pay up. Currently, users can still borrow materials if they owe less than $6.

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