Winter Park Library is Going Fine Free
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
At our Library, we believe that knowledge and opportunity should be accessible to everyone in our community. We know that overdue fines can be a barrier to access, so we're excited to announce that we're now a fine-free library!
How it works
You no longer have to worry about being charged for returning books late. We've implemented automatic renewals for eligible items to make things more accessible. If there are no holds on an item and you're within the renewal limit, the item will automatically be renewed for you. However, please note that going fine-free does not mean you can keep books indefinitely. We still ask that you return them on time so others can access them.
Impact
When libraries go fine free, it can be a game-changer for patrons who previously couldn't access library resources due to outstanding fines. These fines can sometimes pile up and create a cycle of exclusion, making it difficult for people to borrow materials they need or want. Going fine free can remove this barrier and allow patrons to start using the library again without the worry of paying off old fines.
Moreover, many libraries have found that going fine free can result in more patrons returning long-overdue items they may have been hesitant to bring back. When overdue fines are in place, some patrons may feel guilty or ashamed to return items that have been checked out for an extended period. However, when libraries remove this penalty, these patrons are more likely to bring back the materials they borrowed, often resulting in a surge of returned books, DVDs, and other materials.
Viability
We have been planning for this day for several years - first reducing fines on all of our items and, last year, removing fines from children’s books. Our decision to go fine-free does not significantly impact the library budget, as the revenue generated from fines was relatively small, and the process of collecting and counting the money was time-consuming for our staff.
Mission-aligned
Going fine free also aligns with our core values: to make knowledge and opportunity accessible to everyone. By removing the financial burden of overdue fines, we can better fulfill the mission to serve the community and provide resources to people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels. It can also help us build a more welcoming and inclusive environment where patrons feel supported in their quest for learning and discovery.
In summary, going fine free is a win-win situation for both patrons and the Library. It removes financial barriers that prevent people from accessing the Library, welcomes back our previous users, and even retrieves long-overdue items. It can also help us fulfill the mission to serve Winter Park by providing access to knowledge and opportunity for everyone.
