Hopkins District Library will no longer charge late fines on books and other circulating materials, effective immediately. The library board unanimously voted to join a growing number of libraries no longer charging daily late fines on overdue materials.
A growing body of research shows that overdue fines do not increase return rates for checked out items, and removing fines increases new library card signups and item checkouts.
The library is intended to be a resource for the entire community, and late fines create a barrier that prevents some community members from utilizing that resource. Late fines disproportionately impact people without the means to pay, and may cut them off from using library resources entirely. Removing these fines (while still requiring the items to be returned), will allow more people to make use of the library’s collections, resources, and programs, and welcome back community members who may feel unwelcome because of past fines.
Eliminating late fines does not mean patrons won’t have to bring items back to the library. Items will still have a due date and materials will still need to be returned. Patrons will still be charged for lost or damaged items, and late fines may still apply when borrowing materials owned by other libraries. Late fees will still be charged on Mobile Hotspots because of the high demand and the ongoing costs to the library.
Hopkins District Library is part of the Lakeland Library Cooperative, and serves Hopkins Township, Hopkins Village, Monterey Township, and parts of Watson Township. For more information about the library or the new Fine Free policy, contact the library at (269) 793-7516, or visit our website: www.hopkinspl.michlibrary.org/news-events/fine-free
Friday, November 22, 2024
