The “Radical” Concept of Eliminating Library Fines
Firstly, why don’t we start with the history of late fees, yeah?
Mini History Lesson
Silly meme aside, I vividly remember the overwhelming sense of anxiety when I either couldn’t find my library book in time or totally forgot to return it by the due date (all those cents adding up)! I’m sure many people have had that same feeling of existential dread sometime in their lives. Taking a step back and looking into the history, one might be surprised (or not) to find out how restrictive and unequitable libraries started out. Adwoa Adusei and Virginia Marshall discuss this exact concept in their podcast Goodbye to All Fines (2021). The two delve into history ranging from the early subscription libraries where patrons had to pay a yearly fee to the first circulating libraries where the founders’ mission was to teach “habits of quiet, neatness, and decorum” as well as spaces being “civilizing and improving to manners as well as mind” (Adusei & Marshall, 2021). With the transition away from private and subscription libraries, the circulating library feared patrons would lose/misplace books and began the policy that we know and love (wink wink): charging late fees.
Oh the Times, They are A-Changing
I love this above picture I found when looking up images on Google; it’s important to remember that libraries aren’t just receptacles for books, but “palaces of the people” and “for the people” (Stephens, 2022). In my research for this blog post, I came upon SO many articles that all had a connecting theme (this will be in my own words, mind you): Library fines are straight up garbage and should have been done away with YEARS ago. The Library Journal looked both qualitatively and quantitatively to find that data shows libraries are finding value in limiting or eliminating fees entirely without there being any staggering repercussions. Compared to a 2017 survey, the percentage of libraries charging overdue fees dropped from 92% to 36% (Gerber, 2022). Personally, as someone who has worked in the special education field for 15 years, punishment tactics typically do not yield the desired results; positive reinforcement and rapport building (relationships) do. This same mentality could easily be applied to an example relating to library fees in the formula of punishment=late fees and consequence=loss of library patron.
So, Where Do We Go Now?
In order for libraries to be a place of “people, not books” (Stephens, 2022), library 2.0 must create a space FOR ALL individuals and eliminate the archaic punishment system that has been in place for too long. Now, is this a case of “it’s easier said than done?” or is it actually possible and certain librarians/admin are too entrenched in “this is how it’s been forever, why change it?” I completely agree with Steph Coelho’s assessment in Library Fines are Trash and People are Taking Notice article in which she says “For the patrons who have means, a fine is hardly a real issue. This means that they serve to punish those in need, those who truly need the services the library provides” (2020). Looking at cold, hard facts, monies from fines are calculated at less than 0.4% of the annual budget for libraries (Gerber, 2022), so are fines actually something people need to gripe over, or should librarians hone in on “people, not books.” Focusing on creating a transparent and inclusive space for everyone should be tantamount to the library’s mission, not a piddly two dollars and something owed from John Doe for late fees.
Uber Short Reflection
This is all easy for me to say and write, especially as someone who hasn’t worked in a library since I was 19, but I believe that the current documented trends and desire to focus on people and their information wants/needs is pivotal to our work. Instead of keeping the punishment system in place, why can’t libraries incorporate rewards and reinforcement for people that do return books in a timely manner? In order to keep patrons coming, we need to remove these roadblocks and understand that community needs and wants change over time, but our mission of working for the people remains the same.
References
Adusei, A. & Marshall, V. (Hosts). (2021, December 21). Goodbye to all fines [Audio podcast]. Brooklyn Public Library. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/goodbye-all-fines
Coelho, S. (2020, January 30). Library fines are trash and people are taking notice. Book Riot. https://bookriot.com/fine-free-libraries-trend/
Gerber, A. (2022, September 28). Fine farewells: LJ’s 2022 fines and fees survey. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Fine-Farewells-LJs-2022-Fines-and-Fees-Survey
Stephens, M. (2022). Hyperlinked library master lectures 2022: The hyperlinked library participatory service & transparency [Course presentation]. School of Information, San Jose State University. https://sjsu-ischool.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=2a19a4b6-e945-4d2e-abf1-aef3014172a5
10 Comments
Diamond Patrick
Hi Claire,
Great post! I agree with a lot of what you’ve written here. The library I work in has gone through many phases of late fee practices. We generally don’t charge late fees for our own books, but because we’re an academic library we have high interlibrary loan use. That’s usually when we get into sticky territory, because other libraries will charge us for late or lost books. We used to eat the cost, but it became a big strain on our budget. It’s tough to navigate!
With some libraries in our consortium, we’ve reach an agreement that if users are willing to replace a book they’ve lost, then there is no fee charged. It’s not perfect, but we’ve found many users are happy with the alternative. It’s often cheaper to simply replace a book than pay fees (which can really add up!).
Thanks again for posting! I really enjoyed reading what you shared, and the fun follow-along photos.
Claire Burke
@diamondpatrick Thanks for taking the time and reading my post, much appreciated! Hopefully the Guns N’ Roses GIF didn’t drive you crazy like it did me while I was writing and constantly seeing it…I can definitely see how it would be difficult to navigate around other libraries charging you guys for late/lost books, that’s a tricky one. I like that your consortium is willing to work with patrons on replacing the book instead of fines. I feel like that’s a great step in the right direction on how to deal equitably with fees and patrons. Thanks for your comment!
Millicent
@claireburke I love this post! I also love the idea of giving rewards for returning books early or on time, instead of punishing for being late. There should also be rewards for those who may not have returned the book, but rechecked it out in the proper way and in timely fashion – because not everyone reads at the same speed. I love many of the e-book library apps, as they automatically return for you and also give you several warnings when it’s about to be returned.
Claire Burke
@inabookbind Thanks for the comment back! Yes, I completely agree with you about the use of the e-book library apps! I love that my library sends me reminders on how many renewals I have left til the book is officially due back and that it will also automatically renew if there’s no holds placed on the items.
Millicent
@claireburke Yes, the only downfall of the e-book library system is that the max it gives me is 14 days, and with two jobs and school, sometimes that is just not enough time… and sometimes you wait on these books, especially bestsellers, for several months (once I waited 6 months!). So I have gotten to the point where when I get an ebook that had a long wait, I cherish it and binge it. LOL
AdriAnne C.
Claire, great topic to post about (and some great thoughts!) Like Diamond’s consortium, the public library cooperative I work in has gotten rid of all fees, except for damaged and lost items. In your conclusion, you mention incentives and rewards, instead of fines, for those who turn materials on time. What do you think that would look like? I was thinking maybe a sort of automated punch card system at book returns. You get a card punch for each trip that you return materials on time and, after so many pumches, you get a prize. Maybe a coupon(s) to local businesses?
Claire Burke
@acorey Thanks for the comment! I like the punch card system and coupon incentives you talked about in your comment. Personally, for kids, I was thinking along the lines that you were talking about where there could be a punch card with however many spots (probably a good amount so that it doesn’t get filled up SO ridiculously fast) and after a certain number of returns on time, the library could team with different local small businesses each month and have a small monetary amount, like 1 free icecream, 1 small pan pizza, etc. I really like the idea of proactively positively reinforcing people instead of punishment as a reactionary consequence.
Terri Beth
Hi @claireburke,
I came for the meme and stayed for the writing. ; )
I just wanted to say that Coelho’s point about how fines essentially only punish the people who really *need* the library is so spot on. I remember collecting a fine once, when I was working at a library in a very well-off town, and this woman wrote a check for her one-hundred-dollar-plus fine with “donation” in the field where you’re supposed to write what the check is for. She was using it as a tax write-off! So gross.
And this: “Why can’t libraries incorporate rewards and reinforcement for people that do return books in a timely manner?” – is an interesting idea. I’d never thought of that!
Claire Burke
@terribeth Thanks for your reply! I love cat memes, so immediately was like, “How do I include this in my blog?” That’s CRAZY about the woman who used her “donation” as a tax write-off…very depressing to think about, indeed. My local library still fines patrons for late fees, but for the month of September they are doing away with it…hopefully it just sticks. The more I delved into the literature surrounding the issue of fines, the more I thought how ridiculous it is that libraries still continue to do it and punish the community they serve…
Johanna
Such a great topic! I’ve found these new rules to be extremely beneficial. Sometimes life gets in the way and having an extra day or two (nothing crazy) to finish what I was reading or get my books back a little “late” has made me life a little easier and less stressful. Schedules aren’t perfect, it’s helpful to have something that can be pushed back a day or two without repercussion.
I also remember my old childhood library used to charge $1 for every DVD borrowed (this must’ve been in the late 90’s). They finally did away with this system, but it always felt like it defeated the purpose of a library in general.