Update 01/01/22: As the concept of going fine free has reached the tipping point of mainstream acceptance, I will not be updating the Articles section or the Library Fine Free Map. The site will remain up and I will add any resources as they appear. Thank you for your interest and support for this project.
Library fines are a pressing social inequity issue for the modern library.
There is no study or research which shows that library fines function as a mechanism to encourage timely return of materials. Instead, they serve as an economic barrier that impedes access to library materials and services for the financially disadvantaged people within our communities, particularly minors. In addition, it creates conflict points between staff and the community, acts as a poison to public relations, and utilizes valuable staff time applying, collecting, and managing what can only be described as a regressive tax.
It’s 2019 2020 2021 the right thing to do.. It’s time to end library fines for everyone.