Fremont library votes to eliminate late fees on most materials

Freemont Public Library in Mundelein joined a small but growing group of suburban libraries by pledging this week to eliminate most late fees.

Currently, Fremont patrons are charged 10 cents a day for overdue books and most other late items. Daily $1 fines are assessed for some materials, including new video games and DVDs.

The library board voted Thursday to do away with those fees. The change is expected to be implemented in mid-April.

Fremont Library Director Scott Davis said the board's decision was partially based on research showing late fees don't encourage people to return materials faster.

Davis began investigating the costs and benefits of eliminating late fees after he attended a discussion of the subject at an American Library Association conference last summer.

He said Fremont library collected about $40,000 in late fees last year, around 1 percent of its $4 million operating budget.

"There are people who literally stop using the library because they've incurred fees over the years," Davis said Friday. "We don't want to let the fear of being late be a deterrent for coming to the library."

Patrons have expressed concern that without late fees, materials will be checked out longer.

However, Davis said fears of barren book shelves are unfounded. Once the library makes the switch, officials will declare an item missing after it is late for 45 days, and bill the patron for the replacement cost.

"It is the exact same way we get them back now," Davis said. "Either return it or pay the price. This way, we're just getting rid of all the dimes and hassle and stuff in the middle."

Other area libraries that have gone fine-free in recent years include Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich, Algonquin Area Public Library, Addison Public Library and the Oak Park Library.

Davis said Fremont library will still assess late fees for in-house laptops and telescopes.