The Moorestown Library’s board of trustees continued its discussion from last month on going fine-free.
“This really isn’t a policy that you can approve yet,” said Library Director Joan Serpico, during a Feb. 23 board meeting. “We’re still working out all the details of what the system will allow us to do.”
“Basically, what we’re finding with libraries that have done this already is that the assumption that we’ve always had that fines would bring back materials regularly and if we didn’t have fines we wouldn’t get the materials back … That really isn’t actually the case,” she added.
Serpico noted how fines are barriers to people who can’t afford to pay the fees and are afraid and embarrassed by them.
“It prevents people from accessing the materials at their greatest level,” Serpico explained. “Some won’t come in at all, some get the fees and stop coming in.”
In January of 2019, the American Library Association issued a resolution with the following in mind: “The imposition of monetary library fines creates a barrier to the provision of library and information services.”
“For many of you who have looked at this in depth already, it’s pretty clear that late fees are an opposition to our core values of trying to offer equitable service, fostering early literacy and eliminating barriers,” Serpico said.
If the library decided to go fine-free, circulation would increase, materials would still be returned, card registrations would increase and staff time could be directed to more customer-focused activity, according to the library director.
“At this point, with as many people going fine-free, the question really isn’t going to be from patrons, ‘Why are you going fine-free?’ It’s soon going to be, ‘Why are you still charging fines?’” Serpico noted. “And we don’t want to be the place that’s still charging fines because – in my mind – everything points to it being a good idea to stop.”
A formal proposal for eliminating fines is expected next month.
“The nice thing is that we’ve learned from other libraries that even though we fear people wouldn’t bring things back if there wasn’t a fine, they’re finding that people are bringing it back at about the same rate,” Serpico said.
New business on the meeting agenda included a bylaws change that allows board members to participate remotely at hybrid meetings.
“As of now, I think we will continue with zoom meetings,” said Board President Deanne Bertino.
Serpico gave her director’s report.
“The self-checkout machine has been very helpful with the short-staffedness that we’ve had in the last two months,” she said. “As you can see, 42 percent of the checkouts in January were from the self-checkout machine.”
“In terms of programming, the Moorestown Library book clubs have been resurrected …” Serpico added. “We have reading challenges for all ages and we’ll be continuing having monthly concerts virtually until we change that.”
