COLUMBUS – Fines for overdue library books are going the way of the card catalogue and microfiche.
Starting in January, the Columbus Metropolitan Library is eliminating overdue fines on all borrowed materials, though the library will continue its long-standing policy of blocking library cards of customers who have materials 21 days or more overdue, said library CEO Patrick Losinski.
Blocking a user’s card prevents them from checking out more physical items until the long overdue materials have been returned, but they will still able to access eBooks, reserve meeting rooms, use public PCs and take advantage of other library services.
The approval of the change by the library’s Board of Trustees was announced Thursday.
Libraries have historically instituted fines for overdue materials as an incentive to see those items returned promptly, but industry trends have shifted and library professionals have questioned whether they are effective, Losinski said.
“Removing barriers to get more materials into the hands of more customers brings us closer to achieving our vision of a thriving community where wisdom prevails,” he said.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library system reduced daily fine rates and maximum fines in 2012 and introduced auto-renewal and fine-exempt children’s cards in 2014. The Delaware County District Library eliminated fines on books in 1986, the Worthington Libraries stopped charging them last month and the Stark County District Library went fine-free in 2014, CML marketing director Gregg Dodd said..
If an item is not returned 35 days after its due date, it is deemed lost and the customer is charged a replacement fee, which is waived if the item is returned, Dodd said.
Customers with existing overdue fines will still be required to pay them but Dodd says library staff are “empowered and encouraged to use good judgement to waive existing fines on customer accounts.”