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.
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):
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/
Hi Emely,
Having overcharging or late fees scares patrons away; I get it is different than having 2 to 3 books versus having ten books with late payments. I get it there’s a limit to everything, but in my experience, when I tell patrons, “There’s no late fee as long as you return the item,” their reactions say it all..