Arlington Heights library plans to forgive fines up to $50
Editor's Note: This story was updated Sept. 26 with the latest statistics on fines from the library.
If you're one of the estimated 25,000 Arlington Heights Memorial Library cardholders facing fines because of overdue books or materials, you could get some relief a month from now.
Fine Forgiveness Week, planned for Oct. 24-31, will allow patrons to return late materials without having to pay fines, up to a $50 limit.
The offer doesn't include forgiving collection agency fees or lost or damaged material replacement costs, officials added.
The one-week initiative could help recover some 5,800 items that are overdue or missing. The effort also is meant as a way to get people back to the library to access information and services.
"Our hope is that by generously offering our customers a fine forgiveness week, we will encourage all of our customers to revisit their library and access the resources we have invested in for our community, show our fiscal responsibility by attempting to recover materials versus repurchasing, and strengthen the library's role as a compassionate community partner," wrote Interim Executive Director Mike Driskell and Assistant Manager for Access Services Shannon Meyer, in a memo to the library board.
The library's marketing team plans to promote the offer with seasonal Halloween themes including, "Don't be afraid to return to the library!" and "Freaky fines keeping you away?", according to the memo.
Customers will be able to have overdue fines waived by visiting the library and talking with circulation/information department staff, or library staff at the Arlington Heights Senior Center or Bookmobile.
Staff members answering phones at the library call center also will be able to waive straightforward overdue fines up to $50, or transfer calls to circulation staff as needed, officials said.
According to statistics released by the library Tuesday, patrons owed more than $195,000 in fines, though fines represent less than 1 percent of total revenue collected by the library.
Cardholders with fines on their accounts represent one-third of all Arlington Heights library cardholders. And a little more than half that group has not used their cards in more than 18 months, according to the library.
Customers are locked out from borrowing additional materials when they've accrued $10 or more in overdue charges. Those who have fines are due to receive an email or postcard from the library about the fine forgiveness promotion next month.