Eliminating Fines and Expanding Hours to Make Your Library More Accessible
Two big changes to make the North Liberty Library more accessible are coming on Monday, March 23: we’re going fine free and offering expanded hours.
Knowing patrons with overdue fines often avoid returning to the library as users and then continue to hang on to their materials, the North Liberty Library has long had a relatively forgiving overdue program, such as offering patrons the option to donate food instead of paying fines and regular overdue amnesty dates. But going fine free allows the library to provide truly free, equal and equitable access to information to all of our patrons. It gels with our mission to connect people to the resources they need and thrive in our community.
Libraries throughout Iowa and the nation are fully eliminating overdue fines and seeing a positive effect. Chicago’s libraries, one of the largest library systems to go fine free so far, saw increased use of 240 percent. Earlier this year, Waterloo and Cedar Falls dropped fines, and Iowa City has eliminated some fines and is working to eliminate more. And it’s not just about increased library use. Long overdue items are being returned to libraries and patrons are able to feel at ease coming back to the library.
“We understand that occasionally people run into hurdles that may cause them to have late library materials, and we don’t want that to be a burden to accessing the library’s services,” said Library Director Jennie Garner. “When fines aren’t used to manage borrowing of library materials, patrons tend to return their materials more regularly and feel comfortable using the library again, sometimes after years of not being able to check out items due to fines on their accounts.”
Materials will still carry due dates, and we still encourage prompt return of materials on or before the date due, and patrons will still be responsible to pay for lost items. Patrons will overdue or lost items will be prevented from further checkout until items are returned, renewed or paid for. Patrons who currently have fines will start with a clean slate under the new policy.
Additionally, patrons will be able to enjoy three more open hours at the library through extended morning hours, which will give patrons more access to a variety of self-service offerings.
The expanded early-access self-service hours will include all weekdays, with the library opening at 8 a.m. each Monday through Friday. From 8 to 9 a.m., patrons will be able browse, return materials, pick up holds and use self-check. In addition, patrons may access computers, printing and copying services, use meeting and study rooms, use the DOT kiosk, and, of course, just to hang out in the library’s space. Saturday and Sunday hours will remain the same: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
