Month: February 2024

Hyperlinked Communities: Linking Communities through Collections

A couple of years ago, the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) introduced school kids to the world of archives and exhibit building through a program called Kids Collect. The archivists at the center showed inclusion and heart when they took the time to help Hmong children find or create artifacts reflecting their culture for an exhibit on display at city hall. Sacramento boasts the third largest Hmong population in the nation and CSH’s chosen school, Susan B. Anthony Elementary School, maintains a dual-language immersion program for their students (CSH, n.d.).

“Different styles of Hmong clothes can help people recognize who you are and what clan you belong to” - Madyson Vang, 5th grade.

“Different styles of Hmong clothes can help people recognize who you are and what clan you belong to” – Madyson Vang, 5th grade (Sacramento City Express, 2023).

“To see Hmong traditional clothing and culturally significant artifacts be celebrated in Sacramento City Hall brings me such joy and pride for our community and our city,” said Vang, the City’s first Hmong-American council member. “I am especially proud of our Susan B. Anthony Elementary School students who put together such a powerful and inspirational exhibit. Their personal stories and experiences are truly empowering and representative of the immense diversity of our city. Understanding our past and learning about different cultures helps us build a better city where all communities can feel like they belong” (Sacramento City Express, 2023).

Fifth grader, Silvia Xiong described her grandmother’s red bracelet as an “artifact that represents me” (CSH, n.d.). Silvia felt included; she hopefully felt seen by a city and an information center she knew nothing about until those archivists showed up at her school.

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) encourages its members to “embrace the importance of identifying, preserving, and working with communities to actively document those whose voices have been overlooked or marginalized” (SAA, n.d.). The Hmong community in the United States is primarily here due to forced migration after the Vietnam War. Many Hmong are refugees or descended from refugees and are considered to have “greater health and mental health risks (e.g. hypertension, depression, etc.) and a higher poverty rate than any Asian population in the United States” (Im, 2021).

The CSH’s choice was no mistake. Those children were chosen for a reason. The center identified a marginalized community in Sacramento and welcomed them to share their stories with the entire city.  Loida Garcia-Febo encouraged librarians to “embed humanity, compassion, empathy, awareness, and understanding” into their programs and this CSH outreach program embodied this call to action (2018). These archivists demonstrated to these kids and parents through heart-centered outreach that history is not just about a bunch of dead white guys. History is about themselves, their parents, grandparents, and cherished artifacts that they provided Sacramentans the privilege of seeing at city hall.

Christian Laursen argued in his keynote talk that libraries “should be leaders in promoting inclusion” (2018). I would wager that he would include archives in this endeavor as well!

References

Garcia-Febo, L. (2018, November 1). Serving with Love. In American Libraries, 49(11/12), pp. 4-4. American Library Association. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/11/01/serving-with-love/

Im, H. (2021). Falling through the cracks: Stress and coping in migration and resettlement among marginalized Hmong refugee families in the United States. Families in Society, 102(1), pp. 50–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389420901393

Lauersen, C. (2018, June 7). Do you want to dance? Inclusion and belonging in libraries and beyond. The Library Lab. https://christianlauersen.net/2018/06/07/inclusion-and-belonging-in-libraries-and-beyond/

Sacramento City Express (2023, January 20). Sacramento City Hall exhibit focuses on elementary students’ Hmong heritage. Sacramento City Public Information Officer. https://sacramentocityexpress.com/2023/01/20/sacramento-city-hall-exhibit-focuses-on-elementary-students-hmong-heritage/

Society of American Archivists. https://www2.archivists.org/advocacy/diversity-and-inclusion-initiatives

 

 

“Fee Free” still isn’t free: Collection agency threats are just as costly to equitable access as fines

 

Who goes to the library anymore? Aren’t we all hyperlinked by now? It’s 2024 for crying out loud.

Not so fast. American Library Association numbers are showing an increased use of physical library services by Generation Z and millennials (it’s cute; they get dressed up, post it on TikTok) and the poor and unhoused have never really had the luxury of such a privileged choice (ALA, 2024).

The population of those experiencing homelessness and poverty seems to be ever-growing in our cities and towns, and these people and their families face challenges when it comes to using online library services. They may have limited access to the internet, if any access at all, so they depend upon the traditional service of borrowing physical books, music, movies, and other media.

They may also want to use the physical library for access to the internet to search for jobs and/or services. Perhaps they just need a warm place to hang out. The threat of fees, or worse being reported to a collections agency, for not returning items looms greater for these families and individuals. Bottom line: they need and use the physical library more than the rest of the population, move more often increasing the chances of losing a book, and do not have the money to pay late fees. So whether it is simply signage warning of the repercussions for not returning items or past experience with not paying fees, patrons who need the services the most are the ones most dissuaded from using library services because of these threats (ALA, 2024). 

Many libraries came to this realization years ago or during the pandemic, with some libraries now claiming to be “fee free.” However, they continue to send patrons to collections agencies for not returning items or paying the replacement cost after a certain period of time. 

Oh yeah, that’s right, collections agencies! I know because I received a collections notice for each of my daughters years ago from the Sacramento Public Library. Since then (early 2000s) they have greatly increased the number of renewal opportunities before they finally threaten to ruin your credit.

 

An undated letter from Unique. (Hogan, 2019)

While the collections agency most often used, Unique Management Company, does not actually refer the library degenerate to a credit reporting firm, most patrons and their parents are not aware of this and assume their credit will be tarnished. What springs to mind for you when you see the word “collections” at the top of a letter or uttered by a clangy robot voice through the phone?Something else tarnished is the patron’s view of the library after getting a collections letter. Sifton argues, “. . . regardless of who generates the notice, or who calls at night, the effect on patrons is the same: a negative view of the library, and decreased use of its services” (2009).

By the way, Unique collections agency is no joke, they have managed to glean over a billion dollars from angry parents, kids who have had to give their piggy banks the shake down, and students desperately needing their online account to be unlocked (Unique, 2024). You should check out their website; they are really excited about it. Take special note of their “Gentle NudgeⓇ Material Recovery” program (yeah, they had it trademarked).

That’s great right? More money for the libraries right? Firstly, sometimes that money does not go to the library, but instead to the city’s general fund, or is an infinitesimal part of the budget (Sacramento Public Library Authority, 2022). As an example, fees collected at the Sacramento Public Library only accounted for a small portion of 3.8 percent of the total 2022 budget. Did you get that? Only a portion of 3.8 percent. For most American public libraries fines typically account for less than one percent of the library’s budget (Chung, 2021).

*The remaining 3.8% of funding comes from fees, investment earnings, Galleria revenues, Central distribution and donations.(Sacramento Public Library Authority, 2022)

Secondly, at what expense are the libraries chasing down these dollars? ALA has urged libraries “to scrutinize their practices of imposing fines on library patrons and actively move toward eliminating them” (Hill, 2019). “The American Library Association, in an official statement, has characterized library fines as a ‘form of social inequity’” (Hill, 2019).

Here is the most recent breakdown of how this affects those who are poor or unhoused from ALA’s website. Take a gander at the second reason listed.

Equity of Access Issues for People Experiencing Poverty or Homelessness

From illiteracy and illness to hunger and discrimination, there are many barriers that can potentially inhibit library service and disallow poor and homeless people from full access to library services.

People experiencing poverty or homelessness may be limited or prohibited by many issues, including:

    • Library card or access policies requiring a permanent address
    • Prohibitive fines, fees or other penalties or the perception that services incur fees
    • Staff who are not trained in service to people who are poor or homeless or who are made uncomfortable by prejudices against people who are poor or homeless
    • Limited promotion at the community centers and organizations (food banks, shelters, after-school programs) which serve people experiencing poverty or homelessness  
    • Limited access to the library building by either limited means of transportation or service hours
    • Lack of programs or resources that address people’s experiences or current situations

(ALA, 2024)

Some promising signs are emerging as one of the most prominent public library systems in the country, New York Public Library, changed its policy in 2021 to eliminate “late fines.” They will still charge you replacement costs however (sneaky). While it is not made clear on NYPL’s webpage regarding fees if they severed their relationship with Unique Management, Bonnie of Unique Management confirmed with this author, via phone, that they no longer hold a contract with NYPL. No more collections agencies for NYPL but they aren’t “fee free.” Replacement fees are to be made directly to the library or accounts will be blocked. (NYPL, 2024).

“The goals of this major policy shift include encouraging increased usage of the library systems, as well as creating a more equitable system that does not disproportionately impact high-need communities,” reads a 2021 NYPL press release. Sorry NYPL, you are still impacting people who move around frequently. My daughters moved between their two parents’ homes and often lost library books. Imagine those without my daughters’ resources and support? I doubt tracking down a CD or book is on top of mind for those who were recently evicted or sleeping every night on a subway bench.

This shift at NYPL, as small as it was, may have been partly in response to city council pressure and a 2019 National Public Radio piece. New York City council member Van Bramer argued that, “using a collection agency is contrary to the values espoused by New York Public Library and . . . should end their contracts with this company (Unique)” (Hogan, 2019). 

Give this 6-minute piece a listen (WNYC, 2019):

https://www.wnyc.org/story/owe-library-fines-new-york-citys-libraries-could-send-collection-agency-after-you/

In conclusion, there are grounds for all libraries in good faith, and in an effort to align themselves with Reference and User Services Association (RUSA, 2023) guidelines on inclusion, to stop referring errant patrons to collections agencies and/or end their entire fee program. This proposal may offend those working in libraries who still cling to the mantra, “We’ve always done it this way” addressed in this course’s The Hyperlinked Library lecture.  This is a concept Wacek discussed in her TED talk regarding the doing away with all fines. “Study after study has shown that the reason libraries fine is because of strongly held beliefs about the effectiveness of getting materials back on time backed by no evidence,” shares Wacek. “Basically we fine, because we’ve always fined (2018). 

If libraries really want to back up their commitment to being “fee free” how about they do just that? Library patrons who have the greatest need deserve to enjoy library services without living in fear. Chung alleges in his account of the damage library fees incur, “The library budget may find itself with a little less, but it is a small price to pay in exchange for a more positive service environment” (2021). Collection agencies are scary, intimidating, and not in line with current ALA and RUSA guidelines even if they do claim to be unique.

Equitable access touted by ALA, RUSA, and the down-in-the-trenches information professionals are just words until libraries eliminate all fees, the threat of fees, and the empty scare tactics of collection agencies.

 

References

American Library Association (2024). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/librariesrespond/services-poor-homeless

Berens, K. I. & Noorda, R. (2023). Gen Z and millennials: How they use public libraries and identify through media use. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/tools/Gen-Z-and-Millennials-Report%20%281%29.pdf

Chung, F. (2021). Reconsidering overdue fines in the midst of a pandemic. Public Services Quarterly, 17(2), 136–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2021.1899101

Demopoulos, A. (2024, January 26). Books and looks: gen Z is ‘rediscovering’ the public library. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/26/books-and-looks-gen-z-is-rediscovering-the-public-library

Hill, C. (2019). On the Agenda: Springfield City Council to discuss overdue library fines. TCA Regional News. Tribune Content Agency LLC. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2233379033?parentSessionId=ecOveb8LhxgLViiXhKYKgMLEF%2BaeIMWttMdJ1cQgZzs%3D&pq-origsite=primo&accountid=10361&sourcetype=Wire%20Feeds

Hogan, G. (2019, December 5). That ‘frightening’ letter from a debt collection agency could be for overdue library books. Gothamist. https://gothamist.com/news/library-fines-debt-collection

NBC26 (2016, January 6) Collection agencies may start dealing with library dues. https://youtu.be/sivXE01jRVs

New York Public Library (2024). https://www.nypl.org/help/borrowing-materials/library-fines-and-fees

Reference and User Services Association (2023). Guidelines for behavioral performance of reference and information service providers. RUSA. https://www.ala.org/rusa/resources/guidelines/guidelinesbehavioral

Sacramento Public Library (2024) https://www.saclibrary.org/About/Our-Governance/Policies/Borrowing-Policy

Sacramento Public Library Authority (2022). https://www.saclibrary.org/getattachment/About/Our-Governance/Budget-and-Financials/FY-22-23-Final-Budget.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

Sifton, D. (2009). The last taboo: abolishing library fines. Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 4(1). https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/perj/article/view/935/1497

Unique (2024). https://uniquelibrary.com/about/

Wacek, D. (2018, December 6). A librarians case against overdue book fines. TED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfAgyT4hy8Q

Winnefox Library System (2024). https://extranet.winnefox.org/wals/sirsidynix/workflows/circulation/collectionagency%E2%80%94uniquemanagement

WNYC (2019, December 5). New York City libraries use a collection agency to go after late fines. WNYC News. https://www.wnyc.org/story/owe-library-fines-new-york-citys-libraries-could-send-collection-agency-after-you/