Homewood Public Library Board of Trustees voted on May 20 to change the library’s fine policy, removing fines in most cases and reducing the period before the cost of a missing book is charged to a patron.
The new policy eliminates overdue fines on regular materials but does not change the policy regarding “hot copies,” which are new materials that are in high demand.
Check out periods and renewals will remain the same. Patrons can check out books for three weeks and will be allowed two three-week renewals before the final due date.
In the past, the patron would have 42 days after the final due date to return an item before being charged for its replacement. Under the new policy, items must be returned 14 days after the final due date to avoid being charged a replacement fee.
Trustee Jennifer Cutshall brought the issue to the board, and several trustees expressed support for the policy change. Board President Adrienne River expressed concerns about the change and cast the only no vote.
River said she could sympathize with families who have financial difficulty, but noted patrons can keep items for nine weeks before the final due date.
“I’m just a little concerned that even small fines can serve as incentive to people to return books on time,” she said. “I don’t want books hanging out there all the time.”
Trustee Amanda Jo Greep said fine-free policies are common at public libraries and they seem to be successful.
“There is no evidence out there that shows that when nominal fines are removed, suddenly people start hoarding all the library books,” Greep said.
She noted that the lost fine revenue was not significant relative to the library’s $2 million budget. Library Director Colleen Waltman estimated the library brings in $9,000 per year, including fines and replacement fees.
Two former library board members, Anne Colton and Amy Eagle, spoke in favor of the policy change, as did former library director Amy Crump and her son, Quincy Crump.
“I think the library is here to remove barriers to information, and the people who are going to be impacted the most by fines are the people who need the library the most,” Colton said.
The new policy is expected to go into effect July 1.
