Fine Free Policy
In an effort to remove barriers to access, Peoria Public Library has joined a growing number of public libraries across the U.S. in adopting a fine-free policy. As of Sept. 8, 2020, patrons are no longer charged for returning items past the due date, and past overdue fines have been forgiven. This change is in accordance with the American Library Association’s recommendations to remove barriers to social equity. Peoria Public Library’s administration and board believe access to the library’s multimillion-dollar collection is the most important thing.
How does this work?
Peoria Public Library will no longer charge you if you returns items late. At the same time, PPL encourages our patrons to return items in a timely manner so they can be enjoyed by all.
So, if people don’t owe fines what incentive is there to return things?
Eliminating overdue fines doesn’t mean people can keep things forever. Fees still stand for lost/unreturned or damaged items.
In 2019, the American Library Association passed a resolution determining that library fines are a form of social inequity, and they urged libraries nationwide to “actively move towards eliminating them.”
Since then, more than 200 libraries have eliminated overdue fines. Peoria Public Library has scrutinized how the fine-free policy has impacted early adopters, as well as how fines impact our patrons. We determined that fines disproportionately impact our lower-income families.
Further, libraries which adopted this new model experienced increased circulation, more visitors and new members. Chicago Public Library, as one example, saw a 240 percent increase in returned materials after wiping away patrons’ outstanding debt.
What’s the difference between a fine and a fee?
Peoria Public Library has eliminated fines, the daily penalty assessed for returning items late. These fines have ranged from 10 cents up to $1 a day, depending on the item.
Fees are for costs incurred by the library for:
• Replacing materials that are lost, unreturned or returned damaged.
• Processing charges for replacing materials.
• All patrons are still responsible for paying fees as part of the library’s return policy.
Will the loss of revenue from fines impact the library and its services?
Peoria Public Library does not operate to make a profit. Our goal is to invest our funds into creating a collection of resources that meets our community’s needs – from research databases for students to children’s books to engage new readers to books, movies and music to keep lifelong learners engaged.
Peoria Public Library’s physical collection is worth an estimated $9.5 million and includes books, scholarly journals, magazines, movies, music and more. Our digital collection, which includes all those categories as well as multiple research databases, is worth an estimated $10 million.
Our entire community helped build this valuable asset; our entire community should have access.
While we do not operate to make a profit, the library is always seeking ways to serve our community better and a healthy budget allows us to hire trained staff, offer compelling programming and acquire new books and other materials for all Peoria residents.
For those who wish to help us with our mission with a financial contribution, we say thank you and encourage you to make a donation to Friends of Peoria Public Library.
