Head Tale

Here's an article from MSNBC on different libraries' approaches to reducing or eliminating fines including things like amnesty days (which I'd heard of) and “read it off” programs (which I hadn't) to even a “bike it off” program (which I couldn't even have conceived of!) 

I'm sure I've written about how my first job out of library school was with a system that didn't have fines and that was a perfect fit with my personal philosophy and beliefs as well.  That's not just my opinion though – studies have shown that whether libraries have fines or not, those who are going to return their books on time will do so and those who are going to be late will be. 

Then there's the cost of having fines – how much valuable staff time is spent in dealing with (and then later, reconciling) all the little $0.30 and $1.20 fines that patrons have which could be used in a more productive manner?

Finally, there's a customer service element at play too.  What sort of an institution, which prides itself on everything being free, creates a situation where we're (literally) nickel and diming our customers to death?  (And you won't hear me call library patrons “customers” very often but in this case, I think it's appropriate.)

It's a not-so-dirty secret that fines can be a huge revenue line for a library (just check how many public libraries are willing to send patrons advance notices *before* books come due.  Not many and in fact, lots don't even send overdue notices until a few days or even a week has passed rather than the very day the materials come due?) 

Here's a quote from the article:

On Valentine's Day last year, the Anythink Libraries just north of Denver eliminated their fine system.

“Our
philosophy is that we want people to come to the library, even if their
heads are hanging low,” library spokeswoman Stacie Ledden said.

The
library system gives patrons 25 days after the due date to return a
book. It's then marked lost, and the reader is charged to replace it.

“Overdue
fines are definitely one of those traditional library conventions that
are worth taking a look at,” Ledden said. “It's intimidating to people.
They feel embarrassed about it. They feel guilty about it, and we don't
want people to feel that way.”

I first heard about Anythink Libraries during the PLA Virtual Conference and beyond everything else cool and innovative they're doing, they also need recognition for their awesome logo!