Taber library to forgive, eliminate fines for overdue materials in 2022

Dec 8, 2021

MARION — Anyone facing library fines for overdue books, DVDs or other materials will start the new year with a clean slate, as the Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion will be forgiving outstanding fine balances — and entirely doing away with fines for overdue materials. 

Library Director Elizabeth Sherry announced that starting Jan. 1, 2022, the Elizabeth Taber Library will join the ranks of libraries nationwide that are joining the growing fine-free movement.

“Numerous studies have been published showing that fines are a barrier of access to people — and that fines don’t actually encourage people to return books on time, unfortunately” she explained. “It’s actually the opposite. Once you get rid of fines, you’re more likely to get your materials back because people don’t have that awkwardness or fear or shame of going into the library.” 

The hope is that in removing the potential for an unpleasant interaction, people will be encouraged to use the library again, Sherry said. 

“When a $10 fine blocks your account, that’s a lot of people who are prevented from using the library for really no good reason,” she said. “We’re trying to break that down and make the library as accessible to as many people as possible.” 

In total, Sherry said the library will be forgiving about $6,700. Some of the earliest fines on record, which will all be forgiven, date back to 2000.

Although overdue fees will be eliminated entirely, Sherry noted that the fine-free system doesn’t apply to lost or damaged materials. Patrons will be charged for damaged or lost items. 

Materials will also still have due dates. 

“You’re still going to have the due date,” Sherry said. “You’re still going to get those gentle reminders (to return items), and ultimately if the book doesn’t get returned to us, you’ll get a bill in the mail.” 

While many people believe that overdue fines encourage responsibility, Sherry said that many of the people who incur fines are children or students — people who don’t have control over their transportation or schedules, for example. 

“So it’s really not a matter of responsibility when you’re that age and don’t have control over so much of your circumstances,” she said. “We’re really trying to make this something that can be even friendlier to families — so that you don’t have any worries walking into a library.”

Sherry said she hoped this change might encourage people to come back to the library — or to come in for the first time — without fear of fees.

After going fine-free, Sherry said many libraries have seen an increase in returns and in library card sign-ups. 

“There’s no reason anybody shouldn’t be able to just walk into a library and use the full variety of services that are available,” she said, especially not “something like a $2 fine.”