@your library: Library officially getting rid of late fees
Returning library books late or losing them altogether is something many people have experienced firsthand. From returning that stack of picture books late, to forgetting to return the audiobook CD that’s still in the car – we’ve all been there at some point. Believe it or not, even George Washington, the first President of the United States, failed to return two volumes he borrowed way back in 1789. On the horizon though, a new trend is starting in libraries throughout Ohio.
Beginning March 1, 2024, the Puskarich Public Library System will no longer be charging for returning items late in an effort to encourage more use of the library’s resources.
Being fine free is something that has been talked about for several years. After working with our neighboring libraries, the Belmont County District Library and the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, the Puskarich Public Library agreed to join them in starting fine free services for most items starting this March.
Part of our library’s mission is to encourage reading, and being fine free will help to promote library use.
The move to being fine free does not apply to costs incurred because of lost or damaged items. If an item is not returned after being overdue for 30 days or more, it will be considered lost by the library and the person who checked the item out will be responsible for the full cost.
Money generated through fines accounted for less than one percent of the library’s annual budget, and the library felt it was more important to remove this barrier to access. Early libraries charged a fee just to become a member. Print materials were rare and few in quantity. In those days, it was critical to get materials back for others to use. As part of the SEO Consortium, this is no longer the case. Our library patrons have access to over 8 million items from 98 library systems!
The library also has a system of checks and balances to prevent people from abusing the new leniency on fines. Anyone with an unrestricted card can check out up to 50 items at a time (books, movies, CDs or other items) but will be unable to check out if two or more items on their account are overdue. Hot spots and some interlibrary loans are among the few items that still have overdues.
It is understandable that people live very busy lives, and being a few days late with a library book shouldn’t keep anyone from coming back and visiting the library!