Reading Rainbow

A recurring theme in this model that intrigued me, especially since it was a concept that I was first introduced to in another class, is the idea of the ‘Human Library’. Could this be a new form of participatory service that more libraries consider incorporating in the future? What are the potential drawbacks of such a service? While I don’t have all the answers to these questions, I kept them in mind when exploring this idea.

A Human Library event in Malaysia (Source)

Human libraries are an idea that first originated in Denmark in 2000, and still exist today with the trademarked nonprofit The Human Library organization (Human Library, n.d.). The first human libraries in the U.S. came about in 2008 at the Bainbridge Public Library in Washington and the Santa Monica Public Library in California (Wentz, 2013). Even the ALA sponsored a human library at their annual conference in 2011 (Wentz, 2013). The idea riffs off the idea of traditional libraries — with users being able to ‘check out’ people similar to the way they would a book for an allotted amount of time. These people constitute a pool of volunteers from all walks of life and backgrounds, often with a particular experience or perspective that is the main marketing point — such as those from a certain religion, from different countries, of different age groups, or even characteristics such as someone who partakes in a lot of body modding (Wentz, 2013).

After ‘checking out’ a person from the human library, the ‘reader’ (aka the patron who did the ‘checking out’) has a certain amount of time to have an open, frank conversation with the other person. The short-term goal is to (hopefully) “engage in meaningful dialogue with those people about their personal stories” (Ray, 2019), whereas the longer-term goals involve “get[ting] beyond assumptions and stereotypes, to ‘unjudge someone’, as the Human Library Organization’s tagline promises” (Ray, 2019). By doing this, it’s hoped that ‘readers’ may reflect on their own biases and walk away with “an increased sensitivity towards the diversity that exists beyond physical appearance” (Arne-Skidmore, 2021). While this is one of the overarching goals of the human library, ‘readers’ are also allowed to simply “ask questions, seek advice, learn about alternate perspectives, and find common ground” too (Wentz, 2013) — for the point is that, much like how libraries do not really interfere with how you consume their other resources, there will be no prescribed direction in how to go about this. It is free-form, which makes each experience unique.

Along with the aforementioned goals of the program, human libraries are often described as a boon to libraries because of the ways in which they promote gaining and exchanging ideas and information (Wentz, 2013), while also fostering a sense of community and cohesion. By providing the space for human libraries, information organizations allow a location for people to “to frankly explore ideas through one-on-one dialogues” (Wentz, 2013) from a variety of different perspectives. Additionally, by providing the opportunity for people to come together like this, the library (through the human library initiative) “shares the community with itself” (Wentz, 2013). Through the forging of these personal connections, the community can come together while also “weav[ing] the library more tightly into the fabric of the community” as well (Wentz, 2013).

A Human Library event at Columbia College (Source)

Beyond learning of the observed benefits that human libraries seem to successfully have had in libraries, I also began to wonder about the power of stories — both in the context of human libraries and in general. For thousands of years, ever since the era of cave paintings (at the very least), we have reaffirmed that stories are a core, fundamental part of human communication methods (StoryCenter, n.d.). As a species, we almost seemed hardwired to connect and resonate with stories, and perhaps even to search for them. Biologically, we have evolved to utilize stories frequently — for survival (e.g. learning from the past) and also for community building reasons. We are a social species, after all.

There is even a neurological aspect to our enjoyment of stories. It’s been found that when we hear a story that resonates with us, our oxytocin levels increase (VanDeBrake, 2018). Oxytocin can “[boost] our feelings of things like trust, compassion, and empathy” (VanDeBrake, 2018), which then also “motivates us to work with others and positively influences our social behavior” (VanDeBrake, 2018). Higher levels of oxytocin, in this case, would set the stage well for building connections with other people. Additionally, there is an even further neurological link within storytelling. A study at Princeton University found that “during successful communication, speakers’ and listeners’ brains exhibit joint, temporally coupled, response patterns” (Stephens et al., 2010). This means that when listening to a well-told story, your brain mirrors that of the storyteller — with “the exact same areas of the brain light up on an MRI in both the storyteller and listener” (VanDeBrake, 2018). Essentially, your brain is practically reacting as if it is experiencing the story itself (VanDeBrake, 2018). Such findings show the strength in storytelling, showing how strongly they can bring forth both connection and emotions.

Cave art at Cueva de las Manos, Argentina (Source)

This power of stories, as the module is fittingly titled, leads me to think about what else libraries can do with this. Incorporating a fully-fledged human library is one such thing of course. There have been noted benefits and successes with the program — which perhaps explains why they are still utilized internationally. However, there are also a lot of other technical things to consider. If a library doesn’t partner with Denmark’s Human Library organization, how would they go about getting volunteers? Would there be a vetting process? How would we market this? How would we ensure the wellbeing of both the volunteer participants and the patron ‘readers’? All these, and more, are hypotheticals to consider when incorporating any form of a human library. But what else can we do then?

One thing that came to mind to me as an example of the power of storytelling in action online is the massive success of the Instagram account Humans of New York. The page and associated blog, started by photographer Brandon Stanton, “features portraits of strangers who share intimate stories of strength, addiction, redemption, regret, and love” (Pompliano, 2020). The page has massively blown up, amassing 12.7M followers currently, several books and a series of inspired accounts all over the world — like a “Humans of Bombay” account in Mumbai, India. What’s notable about this account is that the creator interviews random, everyday people he encounters in New York and posts pictures and a bit about their life on his page. The significant success of this account shows, according to creator Brandon Stanton, that “not only [are] the stories of ordinary people hold[ing] attention, they can be even more compelling and relatable than stories of public figures and celebrities” (Pompliano, 2020). Clearly, there is a market for people connecting with one another over shared stories.

Even in the public library sphere, there is the great example of SJSU alum Mychal Threets — known on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Threets is known for social media content “that feature[s] book recommendations, library services, and affirming messages” (“Mychal Threets”, 2025). While Threets first cultivated his online presence after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a TikTok video in 2023 that made him viral. In it, he “shared his experience having a child library patron ask about his gender” (“Mychal Threets”, 2025). Since then, Threets has continued to post more about his interactions with patrons — thus utilizing stories to bring a community of both those already in the LIS field and those outside of it together. He consistently emphasizes that libraries are for everyone, with one of his catchphrases being the simple, but impactful “You belong” (“Mychal Threets”, 2025). Like Mychal Threets or the Humans Of New York page, can libraries also create a positive platform to bring library communities together? Perhaps, instead of (or along with) a human library, we can follow in the footsteps of the “Humans of __” accounts and spotlight patrons who have a story they’re willing to share with the community of large. Whatever the case, I think it is important to not overlook the power of storytelling as both a means to humanize libraries and to further entrench them as a valuable cornerstone of their communities. 

Mychal Threets (Source)

References:

Arne-Skidmore, E. (2021, August 4). New study on the impact of the human library. Human Library. https://humanlibrary.org/new-study-on-the-impact-of-the-human-library/ 

Human Library. (n.d.). About. https://humanlibrary.org/about/

Mychal Threets. (2025, February 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mychal_Threets&oldid=1277542973 

Pompliano, P. (2020, October 20). Inside the mind of ‘Humans of New York’ creator Brandon Stanton. The Profile. https://www.readtheprofile.com/p/inside-the-mind-of-humans-of-new 

Ray, M. (2019, April 12). Courageous conversations at the human library. Next Avenue. https://www.nextavenue.org/courageous-conversations-human-library/

Stephens, G. J., Silbert, L. J., & Hasson, U. (2010). Speaker–listener neural coupling underlies successful communication. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(32), 14425-14430. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1008662107

StoryCenter. (n.d.). What listening to a story does to our brains… https://www.storycenter.org/storycenter-blog/blog/2013/8/8/what-listening-to-a-story-does-to-our-brains

VanDeBrake, J. (2018, September 27). The science of storytelling: Why we love stories. Medium. https://medium.com/swlh/the-science-of-storytelling-why-we-love-stories-fceb3464d4c3 

Wentz, E. (2013, April 26). The human library: Sharing the community with itself. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/human_librar/ 

Green Square Library (Australia)

After getting an email as a part of a regular newsletter for the branch library I frequent, I learned that my preferred branch of SFPL was one of three that was underway for being renovated in the near future. The plans had been in talks for years now — with other SFPL branches having been renovated over past decades. Naturally, this led me to wonder what a new, renovated version of my usual library branch would be like. How much would it change? This, in turn, led me to think about the considerations that libraries must deliberate when updating and renovating their facilities for the modern day. Fortunately, a section of Module 8: New Models talks about just that.

The first and primary consideration libraries should always keep in mind throughout the implementation process is that they are institutions (in the physical and abstract sense) that are not only for their communities, but should also reflect the community that they serve (HBM Architects, 2023). A library can say it’s for the community, but may not always be so in practice based on the materials, services, and general atmosphere that it embodies. This is a ‘basic’ premise and foundational truth of the user-centric exchange in libraries, but it is one that some may forget also needs to be taken into consideration when designing and constructing the physical architecture of a library as well.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt)

Library buildings are a type of ‘social infrastructure’, as defined by Eric Klinenberg to mean “the physical places and organizations that shape the way people interact” (Gaetani, 2018). He describes these places of social infrastructure as locations that can help bring a community together and promote a greater sense of civic cohesion (Gaetani, 2018). He even goes on to say that “This environment ‘shapes our behavior in ways we’ve failed to recognize; it helps make us who we are and determines how we live'” (Gaetani, 2018). Whether or not you agree with Klinenberg’s points, the truth is that libraries are meant to be a place of community; they would not be what they are without the people who utilize their services — now more than ever.

However, libraries cannot be meaningful examples of social infrastructure unless they know their community. Libraries may be able to shape the way people interact, as Klinenberg says of social infrastructure, but it may not be effective if its not treading the path of what users actually want. There are a great many ways to get to know the community you’re serving in a library — some methods being more direct than others, such as surveying users and gaining direct feedback and ideas that way. While I would definitely be a proponent of such interactivity, there are also more indirect ways of getting a sense of your community at large as well in order to help guide designers and library stakeholders in the process of creating and renovating library spaces.

For example, libraries can utilize demographic data to get a sense of the past, present, and future trends and needs of the community (HBM Architects, 2023). Levels of population growth can help you determine whether you may need more programs and resources geared towards older or younger patrons, and race and ethnicity data can provide insight into whether adjustments such as a larger foreign language collection may be necessary — to name but a few (HBM Architects, 2023). Additionally, you can even make informed decisions based on the physical location of your library building within the community. As quoted in the Library Journal,

“A library along a major public transit route could provide a broader range of services and activities for those who use transit but may not live in the immediate community. A branch located near major commuter routes should consider drive-up and remote access services as the user group is likely to be reliant on motor vehicles” (HBM Architects, 2023). 

Similarly, the distinction between main and branch libraries continues in the context of the range of services they provide — which is often influenced by their location. Main libraries, because they are the central hub of the system that is often located in the population center, tend to provide a more generalized wide breadth of services to both their immediate community and to the larger library system community that they serve as well (HBM Architects, 2023). On the other hand, branch libraries can be more personalized in their approach — tailored to the specific microcosms that they serve around them (HBM Architects, 2023). This is why the SFPL Chinatown Branch, for example, has a greater special focus on its ‘Asian Interest’ collection of books, pamphlets, newspapers, magazine articles and more — with a particular emphasis on China, Chinese culture & history, and Chinese-Americans (San Francisco Public Library [SFPL], n.d.a) in comparison to the Main Library branch. The branch library recognizes that because of the community it serves, the availability of these resources would be more beneficial in this location.

Toronto Reference Library (Canada)

Naturally, these are the types of considerations I imagine that the aforementioned SFPL branch renovation projects will take when redesigning their spaces. Upon looking at their site, the described goals for the Chinatown branch, for example, states that they aim to make this library “an energy efficient, safe and resilient neighborhood library while maintaining the building’s inherent charm” (SFPL, n.d.b). They then place an emphasis on blending 21st century library practices with the ‘old’ — which in this case refers to the building itself, which the architects and designers hope to preserve for its historical legacy as it is a few years over a 100 now.

This mindset definitely stood out to me as something that I believe libraries should maintain looking into the future. It also reminded me of succesful library renovations like the infamous Dokk1 library in Denmark which blended traditional and forward-thinking library visions into a massively succesful cultural hub. The mention of energy-efficiency in SFPL’s description also led me to think of the planned redesign for the Westchester Square Library in the Bronx, whose design incorporates eco-friendly elements like a ‘frit pattern’ which “is calibrated to frame vistas of the surrounding blocks and to filter incoming light from the sun as part of a holistic effort to reduce the Library’s energy use” (Price, 2023). At night, the library will then “shine as a glowing beacon for the neighborhood and the city” (Price, 2023). Along with literally, I think this is also a nice metaphor for the library’s place in the community in general too.

Aspirational goals and statements like SFPL’s, which is what inspired my interest in this topic to begin with, are important ones. It is important for libraries to constantly strive for growth not only in their methodology in providing services and the services themselves, but even in the building architecture. While striving to meet the needs of their community now and in the near future, they should also remain flexible enough for future expansion opportunities (HBM Architects, 2023). This is important now more than ever because the information, technological, and social landscape can change rapidly. 

Seattle Public Library (USA)

To conclude, in a previous class, every week we were shown interesting libraries from around the world. Interspersed through this blog post are just a few of the examples I was exposed to. During this showcase, I noticed just how appealing the libraries with interesting design quirks or eye-catching overall architecture were to me. It made me think about how much more likely I would be to want to go and check it out if I was walking by. (And it certainly also added a few worldwide libraries on my bucket list!) Just like a book, while what is inside is what ultimately counts and leaves the lasting impression, you can’t overlook the cover! Though we shouldn’t entirely judge books or even buildings by their exteriors, the truth of the matter is that we all do. We’re only human, after all. 

References:

Gaetani, M. (2018, November 11). Q&A with Eric Klinenberg. Stanford University. https://casbs.stanford.edu/news/qa-eric-klinenberg

HBM Architects. (2023, February 9). Centering your library around the community. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/centering-your-library-around-the-community-lj230207

Price, G. (2023, January 4). Report: “This super cool, futuristic library is opening in the Bronx by 2025”. Library Journal. https://www.infodocket.com/2023/01/04/report-this-super-cool-futuristic-library-is-opening-in-the-bronx-by-2025/

San Francisco Public Library. (n.d.a). Chinatown/Him Mark Lai. https://sfpl.org/locations/chinatown

San Francisco Public Library. (n.d.b). Chinatown / Him Mark Lai Renovation. https://sfpl.org/about-us/capital-projects-building-you/library-improvements-tomorrow/chinatown-him-mark-lai 

Hi everyone!

For this assignment, I was inspired by public library summer reading programs — particularly SFPL’s Summer Stride program and the concept of SSR (silent sustained reading) time during my younger school years. Because of my positive experiences with both, especially Summer Stride which I still participate in, I decided to think of a way to sort of combine the two in a K-12 school library setting. Because I’m not that creative, I decided to call this endeavor the Reading Race challenge.

Linked here is my Google Slides presentation! 😊📚

Going through this module’s selected readings and resources was quite a feat, as there were a lot of intriguing new ideas and information that caught my eye. That said, for this blog post, I decided to go back to the concept of the ‘modern’ library — that is, the evolution of libraries from mere repositories of books with the archetypical ‘shushing librarian’ to the ‘unquiet library’, as denoted by one of the readings in this module. The unquiet library, which can often be characterized by collaborative, interactive spaces like makerspaces which encourage connection and all the decidedly unquiet conversation that comes with it is, to me, a perfect example of the hyperlinked library model in action.

The hyperlinked library model is one that emphasizes participatory learning and collaboration, with an emphasis on the users — thus creating a two-way stream of interaction between libraries and their community. A hyperlinked library doesn’t want to be that authoritative ‘shushing librarian’ who just imparts changes with little input from those it’s trying to serve. It wants to work with its community on a more equal playing field, assessing their needs and the changing world around us in the hopes of creating a space that can encompass as many people and meet as many needs as possible. 

This is where makerspaces can come in. Makerspaces, which are modeled after and get their name from hackerspaces, are “collaborative learning environments where people come together to share materials and learn new skills” (Hamilton, 2012). They provide opportunities for people to “explore their own interests, learn to use tools and materials, and develop creative projects” (Hamilton, 2012). Inherently, makerspaces are thoroughly enmeshed with participatory learning — which is a key tenet of the hyperlinked library. The activities that makerspaces often have encourage participatory learning behaviors such as “tinkering, collaborative learning, play, conversations for learning, intergenerational learning, experimentation, inquiry, the act of creation, and problem solving” (Hamilton, 2012). It’s pretty difficult to be a passive consumer of hands-on activities like this. There’s always at least a little bit of participatory learning and engagement involved.

This shift, according to some, is due to the increasing shift towards and growing efficiency of technology. According to one library coordinator, “Back in the day, people were information seekers and consumers . . . Now, information is easier to come by so people want to create … something” (Luster, 2018). While I don’t necessarily agree that people are no longer information seekers and consumers at the library, I see their point. Google and other search engines are certainly a competitor to the reference services that libraries provide, and so it has been imperative for libraries of all types to reevaluate their position in the 21st century and work to adapt with the times.

Makerspaces are one such solution. Aside from providing patrons with the chance to engage with and learn both from and alongside one other, makerspaces are all about equitable access — like all services at the library. Primarily, the public library which has been a particular interest and focus of mine throughout the LIS program thus far. According to some, “public libraries should move away from being ‘houses of knowledge’ and move more towards being ‘houses of access'” (Pew Research Center, 2014). This, too, is something that makerspaces and libraries as a whole can and often do provide. For example, within makerspaces like the teen-exclusive ‘The Mix’ at the San Francisco Public Library, the library’s teen patrons have access to two music production studios, a variety of craft-related technology (like 3D printers, sewing machines and Cricuts), and even video game consoles, including VR headsets (San Francisco Public Library, n.d.). Providing the opportunity to use technology like this not only meets the needs and curiosities of patrons, but can also help bridge the gap of access. 3D printers, for example, are not (at least, in my opinion) at a state yet where they are ubiquitous in most people’s homes. Thus, providing access to technology like this is one way to draw more patrons to the library — sometimes even ones who may not have shown up to the library before this.

Overall, I think the important thing is for libraries to look optimistically at the future and the inevitable technological and societal changes it will bring about. Embracing technology, or at least showing a curiosity to work with and alongside it, is something that I believe libraries must be prepared to do if they wish to remain a constant, vital community presence. They must consider shifting their focus from primarily books to more of a focus on human needs (Moreheart, 2016). And if the needs of its patrons are changing, then so too should the library if it wishes to be “both the third place and . . . a community gathering point that looks to the future” (Moreheart, 2016). 

References:

Hamilton, B.J. (2012, June 28). Makerspaces, participatory learning, and libraries [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/makerspaces-participatory-learning-and-libraries/

Luster, S. (2018, July 29). Reinvented school libraries unleash student creativity. NEA Today. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/reinvented-school-libraries-unleash-student-creativity

Moreheart, P. (2016, August 17). Moving beyond the “Third Place”. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/library-design-moving-beyond-third-place/

Pew Research Center. (2014, July 9). Public libraries and technology: From “houses of knowledge” to “houses of access”. http://pewresearch.org/internet/2014/07/09/public-libraries-and-technology-from-houses-of-knowledge-to-houses-of-access/

San Francisco Public Library. (n.d.). The Mix at SFPL. https://sfpl.org/teens/the-mix

The_Mix_Doorway_1 [Photograph]. (n.d.). Demco Ideas & Inspiration. https://ideas.demco.com/blog/virtual-tour-the-mix-san-francisco-public-library-teen-space/#The%20Mix_Doorway_1

The_Mix_Interactive_Wall_2 [Photograph]. (n.d.). Demco Ideas & Inspiration. https://ideas.demco.com/blog/virtual-tour-the-mix-san-francisco-public-library-teen-space/#The%20Mix_Interactive%20Wall_2

When perusing this week’s readings, I was drawn to the article As Seen on #BookTok: Inspiring Young Readers, TikTok Is a Boon for Books by Kelly Jensen. Like many, I know of BookTok and have witnessed its explosive growth within the past few years. I’ve certainly come across some content from within the community before, though I wouldn’t consider myself a part of its subcommunity really, as my TikTok  usage has been pretty sparse these days — though I have engaged more with similar communities on other social media sites like YouTube (or “BookTube” as it can be called there).

What drew me to this article was its relevance to libraries as a significant information community that could be tapped into in order to expand and modernize library services. It also reminded me a lot of my chosen information community in INFO 200 — online fandom communities (particularly Star Wars fans). Like my chosen community in that class, BookTok members are also a group that congregates primarily online. Like those in fandoms, they too have a massive reach. Books that get popular on BookTok often see an exponential spike in sales — with some titles going from selling about 50 copies per week to 9,000 (Jensen, 2022). Recently, it was even announced that due to BookTok’s impact in sparking a joy and renewed interest in reading (Jensen, 2022), sixty new Barnes & Noble bookstores would be opened across the country (Hopkins, 2025). The bookstore chain credits BookTok for “Americans’ sudden shift in public reading habits” (Hopkins, 2025).

Despite the prevalence of online shopping, it was interesting to see that physical stores like Barnes & Noble saw a surge in sales and usage — with the company saying that the stores have become popular social spots (Hopkins, 2025), providing a unique experience that online vendors cannot emulate in bringing this book-loving community together. The ways in which stores like Barnes & Noble tapped into the impact of BookTok stood out to me as something that libraries could also work to creatively utilize. Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores too from my experience, created tables and displays highlighting certain popular “As Seen on BookTok” titles (Hopkins, 2025) — further creating a sense of belonging and connection with this information community.

Seeing as how many libraries (both school and public) have also noticed an increase in demand for certain popular BookTok titles (which include both newer books as well as classic novels), I think it would be a great idea for libraries to continue to lean into these trends (Jensen, 2022). Regardless of whether or not you actually like the books that get popular on BookTok (of which many I know are contentious for various reasons), the truth of the matter is that it does drive up both book sales and library circulation. This interest in reading is a boon for libraries, who can also market themselves as a similar social space for Booktok communities. In fact, public libraries could do so in an even more meaningful way because their spaces are free and do not have a lingering expectation of a purchase which could limit the amount of time one could spend in a Barnes & Noble bookstore, for example. The important thing is to get more patrons in the door (either physically or virtually) as it could then lead to not only further circulation, but perhaps also an interest and usage of other library services and programs as well. This isn’t just to keep the library running, but it is important for more of the community at large to be aware of all that a library has to give.

While buying and/or stocking up on every BookTok trending title is likely not feasible for every library, as there are collection constraints and budgets to consider, there are still ways to get around this. One suggestion was for libraries to suggest similar titles to a popular Booktok book — either to generally broaden a reader’s horizon, or to serve as a buffer for longer wait times between holds (Jensen, 2022). Similar to bookstores, libraries could create BookTok-inspired displays to entice readers — or they could take these ‘reading lists’ online! The latter reminds me of some of the things libraries like the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) are already doing. Though not BookTok, SFPL has posts on its Instagram page recommending books, movies, shows, and even music for fans of certain popular TV shows such as Severance and The White Lotus. Such a format could easily be repurposed for BookTok books. Shown below is a (slightly squished) sampling of some example recs that SFPL shared for Severance fans.

(Source: SFPL on Instagram; January 31, 2025)

Though there is a lot more interesting content I came across because of the BookTok article in this week’s readings, such as looking into the ways that BookTok users connect over and market books (which could in turn be utilized in libraries too, especially online), I’m going to end the post here before it gets even longer than it already is. The lasting point for me here is that libraries and other information organizations should remain open-minded and willing to bend and flow with the times in order to understand and appeal to new, significant information communities that are popping up. Sometimes, it may be just the thing needed to rejuvenate and re-popularize an institution — as was the case for bookstores like Barnes & Noble! 

References:

Hopkins, A. (2025, February 12). BookTok brings Barnes & Noble back. The Post. https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2025/02/barnes-noble-booktok-stores-comeback

Jensen, K. (2022, February 10). As seen on #BookTok: Inspiring young readers, TikTok is a boon for books. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/as-seen-on-booktok-inspiring-young-readers-tiktok-is-a-boon-for-books-libraries

In 2019, the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL; the local library system I frequent) joined the pantheon of library systems across the country who opted to go completely fine-free (San Francisco Public Library, n.d.). I still remember the surprise and excitement I felt when this decision went into effect — subsequently erasing all the past fine fees that its users had accrued, something of which I was also guilty of at the time. Reflecting on this experience drew me to further exploring the concept of fine-free libraries — leading me to question why fines at these institutions should still exist, especially when users such as myself tend to use words such as “guilty” (like in the sentence before) when describing having them. Shouldn’t the library be one of the last places you feel guilty for visiting?

As it turns out, many library systems such as SFPL were thinking the same thing. Upon reflecting on the implementation of late fees, many libraries came to the conclusion that it was a practice that went against their mission statement and what libraries in general should stand for. Primarily, they came to the conclusion that fines contradicted and often impeded the library’s mission of providing free and equal access of information to its users, instead presenting another barrier to access (Gerber, 2022; Guest Commentary, 2019; Hotchkiss, 2019). The barrier that the existence of late fines presented had a profound negative impact in a number of ways.

Firstly, accruing fines can (and often does) lead to a negative perception of the library — which can hamper the community space that libraries are aiming to be. Fines, as mentioned in my own anecdotal experience of relating having them to a sense of ‘guilt’, can be a deterrent to patron use of the library. Patrons have mentioned having to “build up the courage” to go back to the library to return overdue materials (Coelho, 2020) — a time-consuming, vicious cycle which only further stacks up overdue fines and heightens the shame and stigma associated with it. Indeed, a number of librarians have observed that “the very existence of fines discourages people from using libraries” (Guest Commentary, 2019), leading to decreased repeat visitors when the threat of overdue charges are looming in the distance (Coelho, 2020). Additionally, libraries have noted that fines, and particularly the process of having to collect them, are perhaps “the single greatest point of friction between library staff and patrons” (Guest Commentary, 2019), only serving to sour relationships between the library and its userbase. Perhaps most disheartening is a quote from a SFPL patron before the library went fine-free: “When I owe money to the library, I do not feel comfortable using the resources of the library . . . It creates a sense of un-belonging [emphasis added]” (Hotchkiss, 2019). 

The previous quote is a reminder of the importance of libraries as a community space — one that should prioritize the needs of its users. It is important to remember that the goals of whatever a library proposes and implements should be done in order to make the institution “a better library for the public” (Kenney, 2015). Punitive measures such as fines should, at the very least, be “reach[ed] for carefully, not reflexively” (Guest Commentary, 2019). However, more forward-thinking, would be to question the very idea of libraries as an entity with such punitive power. Libraries are not businesses nor are they a government (Sifton, 2009), and so perhaps the very notion of fines should be scrutinized. As some have posited, the system has “an air of paternalism that feels out of place for a service meant to encourage literacy and promote the magic of reading” (Coelho, 2020) and actually doesn’t really encourage people to return overdue materials (Coelho, 2020) — but more on that later. Instead of punitive measures, libraries should consider more humanistic, user-centered approaches that focus on the root of the issue of overdue materials and why patrons may not be coming to the library (Sifton, 2009). Instead of discouraging library use, as we have noted that fines often tend to do, libraries should instead implement “progressive policies to encourage and increase library usage” (Sifton, 2009). The last thing we want is for libraries and librarians to have the negative image of “an enforcer, a new taxman or bad cop to be feared” (Sifton, 2009). The goal is for libraries to remain a free, open spaces where people can come to connect to one another and the library’s plethora of resources and information. Libraries are “a rare exception to commercial spaces” (O’Brien, 2019) and one of the “few indoor public spaces [that] exist that are open to all (O’Brien, 2019)” — making it even more important to keep them as one of the rare ‘third spaces’ in society today. 

But what about the economic benefits of fines? This is a question many may still wonder about. Perhaps surprising to some is the fact that fines are often not worth the hassle. While the numbers and significance of fine-collection certainly depends on the library in question, many libraries have found that the revenue it generates is negligible in the overall budget. In fact, in some cases the amount of time and resources it takes to train and get staff to collect fines is much higher than the return investment. For example, in the 2017-2018 fiscal year, “fine collections amounted to just 0.2 percent of the SFPL’s total operating budget. In contrast, library employees spend 1,155–3,464 hours a year collecting fines, which adds up to $64,000–$191,000 in staff capacity” (Hotchkiss, 2019). Getting rid of fines, in this case, would not impact the overall functioning of the library and instead would free up more time for staff to focus their efforts elsewhere. 

Another important economic factor to consider against fines is the fact that they disproportionately affect patrons of low-income and racial-minority communities (Hotchkiss, 2019). Such a noted disparity surely goes against the library’s mission statement of equitable access to all? Fines are hardly a deterrent for those of greater economic means, which makes the punitive measure a barrier to those who may need libraries the most (Coelho, 2020; Guest Commentary, 2019). It is important, also, to remember the distinction that this does not mean that those from disadvantaged backgrounds are accruing more library fines. It simply means that they are the ones who often have the most difficulty in paying back their overdue fines (Guest Commentary, 2019). Overall, patrons miss deadlines at similar rates, regardless of income (Guest Commentary, 2019). 

But don’t fines incentivize materials being returned on time? Not really. The issue is nuanced and library-dependent, to be sure. For example, while some fine-charging libraries in 2017 noted that the system resulted in fewer late-returns, the items that were overdue tended to stay out longer (Guest Commentary, 2019). This seems paradoxical to the supposed claim that fines will get people to return to materials sooner. Overall, research has also noticed a plateau of the effectiveness of fines. In a ten year study of library fines, it was noted that there was an initial drop in delayed returns by 34%, but that over time this measure lost its effectiveness — only deterring the undesirable behavior for the short-term, with even less of an impact on those who were wealthier (Albegaria, 2019). Once again, this brings libraries back to the question of whether such a questionably effective, often negligible source of revenue is worth the negative impacts against the patrons that we are supposed to serve?

Going fine-free is not a new phenomenon. Libraries have been implementing versions of this policy since the 1970s. SFPL, for example, eliminated fines for children and teens in 1974 (San Francisco Public Library, n.d.). Furthermore, implementing such a policy is not without its benefits. Many libraries have noted positive changes within their institution — such as “increases in patron satisfaction and participation and to staff morale” (Gerber, 2022). A librarian in Minnesota even noted an increase in the return of both materials and patrons that had been away from the library for years (Gerber, 2022). According to a Library Journal survey, about a quarter of libraries have noted that going fine-free has increased circulation in their libraries — with about 50% saying that they were unsure whether the lack of fees were attributable for the circulation changes, but that it was certainly a possibility (Gerber, 2022). The other 25% did not notice an increase, but this doesn’t mean that the fine-free policy was detrimental.

The decision to go fine-free is definitely a big one. It is an issue that library policymakers must look at with a wide scope, considering both the pros and cons of such a change. Is the revenue from late fees worth the time, money and effort to collect? Is it worth the negative benefits, including an access barrier, that some patrons face? Are there, perhaps, alternative methods and amnesties that libraries unable to get rid of fines can enact instead? Indeed some libraries do incorporate alternative methods for both fine repayments and to discourage overdue materials. However, even these alternatives (such as accepting food bank donations or volunteer service instead of money for fines), are subject to a whole host of new complications and nuances. (For example, would an economically disadvantaged patron have the means to donate food bank items, or the time to volunteer? Or would this just be a convoluted solution that leads to the same issues as before?) The ideal vision of what a library should be vs what it often has to be can sometimes diverge. Still, it is important for libraries to do their part in attempting to bridge that gap as much as possible — prioritizing their patrons in a way that no for-profit business can, allowing them to stand on their own in comparison to the competition.

References: 

Albergaria, M. A. (2019). Effects of monetary sanctions on behavior: evidence from library fines. Economic Analysis of Law Review, 10(3), 236-249.

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

Guest Commentary. (2019, February 28). Why California libraries are ditching fines on overdue materials. CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/education/2019/02/library-fines/

Hotchkiss, S. (2019, September 16). San Francisco Public Library eliminates all overdue fines. KQED. https://www.kqed.org/arts/13866475/san-francisco-public-library-eliminates-overdue-fines

Kenney, B. (2015, November 13). Lessons from Seattle’s failed bid to rebrand its public library. Publishers Weekly. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/68666-brand-awareness-lessons-from-seattle-s-failed-bid-to-rebrand-its-public-library.html

O’Brien, C. (2019, June 24). How San Francisco’s public libraries are embracing their changing role. Shareable. https://www.shareable.net/how-san-francisco-public-libraries-are-embracing-their-changing-role/

San Francisco Public Library. (n.d.). Fine free library. https://sfpl.org/about-us/fine-free-library

Sifton, D. J. (2009). The last taboo: Abolishing library fines. Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 4(1). 

Hi everyone! My name’s Ramasha (she/her) which, despite its deceptive appearance, is pronounced as ‘rum-sha‘. I was born and raised in San Francisco and got my BA in Psychology with a Minor in Classics from San Francisco State University in 2021. After floundering for a few years with what I wanted to do professionally, I ended up being encouraged by friends and family to consider applying to this MLIS program — librarianship being a career I’d only vaguely considered in the past, despite the importance of libraries in my life for as long as I can remember. In any case, I ended up taking the jump and so here I am today — currently on my second semester of the program! Right now, I’m leaning towards a career in public librarianship because of my positive experiences with them as a patron, but I’m still very open to considering what else the LIS field has to offer.

I ended up choosing this class in particular because I was really interested in the changing roles of libraries and their services as technology continues to advance, simultaneously altering the needs and interactions with patrons. Admittedly, I was also really keen on learning more from Dr. Stephens because I really enjoyed his lectures for all the INFO 200 sections and found his clear passion for librarianship really infectious! 

Outside of my academic career, I’m admittedly something of a homebody. I just really love getting lost in a good story! I love well-thought-out worldbuilding and intricate character development and creation. As an occasional hobby writer, it’s really nice to be able to appreciate all the technical and creative work that goes into telling a lasting, immersive story. Though not the most unique hobbies, I really love reading and watching movies & TV shows. In recent years, I’ve finally rediscovered my passion and motivation for reading for fun, versus just required academic texts which tended to burn me out. Some of my current favorite authors include Shirley Jackson, Yōko Ogawa, S.T. Gibson, Toni Morrison, Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Costanza Casati. 

I’m also really interested in movies — which is something that was definitely brought about by making an account on Letterboxd a few years ago. (In retrospect, maybe that became something of a pandemic hobby for me.) Though I overall have a huge love for the sci-fi, fantasy and horror genres, I really watch just about anything from any time period! I love expanding my horizons and as such, I recently gave myself the lifelong goal of trying to watch a movie from every country in the world. I’ve seen others take up this challenge with books, but I found that movies would be a more attainable goal for me personally. So, if anyone has any recommendations of movies (especially from less-represented countries in the worldwide film industry), I’d gladly take them! 

Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy introduction post! I look forward to meeting and learning alongside and from everyone this semester 😊📚

Pictured above for fun is the prize tote bag that SFPL offered participants last year in their annual “Summer Stride” reading, learning and exploration program! I’ve participated for a few years now and have accrued a few of these different tote bags. It’s a fun way for me to get to read more with just the right amount of reward that doesn’t dampen my intrinsic motivation to read. Last year,  I was also able to get a free book as well! I definitely encourage checking out whether your local library has a similar program this summer 🥰