[Michlib-l] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kalamazoo Public Library Will Be Fine-Free Beginning January 1, 2020

[Farrell Howe]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2019

CONTACT
Farrell Howe
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kalamazoo Public Library
269.553.7879

New Year, No Fines!
Kalamazoo Public Library is Fine-Free Beginning January 1, 2020

Kalamazoo, MI, Monday, November 25, 2019. Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL) constantly strives to identify ways to increase library access and improve services for everyone in the community. That is why beginning January 1, 2020 KPL will be overdue fine-free.

Why fine-free?

  *   It removes a barrier to access: fines for overdue materials disproportionately impacts residents of lower socioeconomic status.
  *   Late fines are not effective: fines do not impact return rates but do contribute to loss of materials.
  *   It’s fiscally responsible: revenue attributed to fines has fallen steadily in the last five years and represents less than 0.5% of the library’s operating revenue.
  *   KPL children’s materials have already been fine-free since 1989!

“Overdue fines have unintentionally created a barrier to access for many library patrons,” said Ryan Wieber, Director, Kalamazoo Public Library. “The standard practice of assessing fines has long been justified as a means to motivate borrowers to return materials in a timely manner. Instead, we see time and again where fines cause many patrons to just stop using the library and checking out books for their family. KPL has closely watched the positive case studies of fine-free libraries nationwide, and we are thrilled to stop the costly fine management process and welcome back thousands of patrons”

What does fine-free at KPL mean?

  *   On December 31, 2019 all current overdue fines will be waived (excludes lost or damaged material fees and referral charges)
  *   No more daily fines for overdue materials
  *   Patrons are still responsible for returning items and paying for any lost or damaged materials
  *   A series of reminders to return overdue materials will be sent
  *   Materials that are more than 10 days overdue will result in your account being blocked until they are returned
  *   You will be billed the replacement cost for any items that are damaged or overdue by 30 days. Accounts owing more than $30 will be sent to collections if the materials are not returned or paid for after 21 days from the billing date. This information is NOT reported to credit bureaus.

Fine-free libraries are not new. For the last 10–15 years, libraries across the country have eliminated fines and reported an increase in library usage overall. Recently, Chicago Public Library<https://cplfoundation.org/chicago-public-library-officially-goes-fine-free/> became the largest library system to eliminated overdue fines. The Urban Libraries Council created an interactive map<https://www.urbanlibraries.org/member-resources/fine-free-map> that shows which library systems have taken steps to eliminate overdue fees.

The future is fine-free! The public can expect that all libraries across the country will be fine-free in the near future. The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, recently released a Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Inequity<http://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/governance/council/council_documents/2019_ms_council_docs/ALA%20CD%2038%20RESOLUTION%20ON%20MONETARY%20LIBRARY%20FINES%20AS%20A%20FORM%20OF%20SOCIAL%20JUSTICE%20Revised%201_27_0.pdf>. The resolution “urges libraries to scrutinize their practices of imposing fines on library patrons and actively move towards eliminating them” and “urges governing bodies of libraries to strengthen funding support for libraries so they are not dependent on monetary fines as a necessary source of revenue.”

“Our goal is to encourage and grow library usage for all residents, and for them to enjoy the benefits that a public library provides.” said Wieber. “KPL becoming a fine-free library is a great thing for our patrons, our community, neighborhoods, families and children. Growing up reading books and visiting libraries is essential to the good health of a great community!”

More information about KPL going fine-free can be found on their website<https://www.kpl.gov/about/news/new-year-no-fines/>.

####


Farrell Howe | Marketing & Communications Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Kalamazoo Public Library | CEN
315 S. Rose St. | Kalamazoo, MI, 49007
(269) 553-7879
[Kalamazoo Public Library]<https://www.kpl.gov/>
[Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooPublicLibrary/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/kzoolibrary/?hl=en>  [Twitter] <https://twitter.com/KzooLibrary?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor>  [Youtube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcYzLAHao4uPeBV-peFrUxQ>

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