After seven months of the Madison County Library System (MCLS) being fine-free, libraries are seeing more library cards applied for and no increase in overdue books.
Tonja Johnson, executive director of MCLS, said for years, she talked to the board of directors about leaving behind fines and fees for overdue materials and had implemented changes moving towards being completely fine-free. She said research shows it brings more people into the library, long overdue books get returned, and books don’t just go missing. Many libraries across the country have implemented this system, including recently the New York Public Library.
“Really the intent behind it is to remove barriers to people seeking library service,” Johnson said. “I think traditionally we see fines and fees as a way of making people return their books but what research has actually shown is that it is a way of keeping people from using the library, especially the people who need the resources the most.”
Johnson said once those barriers are removed, people tend to come back to the library. They bring books back that they may have had for one or two years or even longer because they are unafraid to return them once fees are removed.
“They either don’t come to the library ever because they are afraid of getting a fine or a fee and they can’t afford it or they come and incur a fee and they don’t come back,” Johnson said. “We don’t want that to happen.”
Once the pandemic began, the board immediately waived fees as a response. Johnson said it served as a good trial run for the board to be able to see how the lack of fines would affect the library. While initially there were a lot of overdue books because libraries weren’t open, the books all returned once people felt comfortable going back to the library.
“They came back, and people enjoyed the fact we suspended fees and were very appreciative and thankful they didn’t have to worry about it,” Johnson said. “That was a convenience they appreciated and a measure that helped in that situation.”
In April, the board made it official and went fine-free for good. Johnson said she didn’t suddenly have to search for missing books and there has been no increase in overdue books.
“People respect the fact they have these materials and they belong to the library and other people are waiting for them and they’re still returning their materials,” Johnson said. “It is really a benefit for both the library in that we are able to bring people in who were scared or reluctant to come in before, and it is also a benefit to the community in that their library services are more accessible to them and more equitable because a lot of times the fines and fees punish those who can’t afford them.”
Johnson said it also helps her staff have more time and a better relationship with the patrons who visit the library.
“When we did make that transition to fine-free, it did not have a negative impact on the library and it continues to be positive in terms of relationships with the patrons,” Johnson said. “My staff has more time to do more important duties than to try to collect the fines and fees for a book being out an extra day or two, simply because somebody had forgotten to call or was out of town or had a family emergency.”
While there are still fines and fees for items that get lost or damaged, it is something Johnson said they are happy to work with their patrons on and they understand things happen.
“We’ve tried to take a less punitive approach to that and to really live up to our mission as being open and welcoming to everyone,” Johnson said.
