Arlington Heights Memorial Library going fine-free Jan. 1
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library won't charge patrons for overdue books and materials beginning Jan. 1, joining a regional and national trend of libraries that have gone fine-free.
Under a policy unanimously adopted by library board trustees Tuesday night, existing charges on cardholders' accounts will be waived, and new fines will be eliminated going forward. But patrons will be blocked from checking out new materials if they don't return the old ones first, and if materials are lost, the library can turn to a collection agency.
Library Executive Director Mike Driskell said the move - championed by the American Library Association - would increase positive interactions with customers, reengage patrons by reducing financial barriers, and eliminate inequitable access to library services and resources.
More libraries have been moving toward the fine-free model amid the pandemic, with library officials in Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Gail Borden in Elgin, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg and Skokie all implementing policies this year. The Chicago Public Library went fine-free a little more than a year ago.
It's an idea Arlington Heights library trustees have been exploring since 2018, when the library hosted its first Fine Forgiveness Week and charges up to $50 per cardholder were waived. About 8,200 patrons returned overdue books and materials during that week and a similar promotion in 2019.
At the same time, the library has collected less and less revenue from fines every year, from $145,000 in 2016 to $91,000 in 2019 - representing about 1% of total revenues.
"We have done multiple fine free weeks and forgiveness," Trustee Debbie Smart said. "I think the workflow that staff has put together is very detailed. People will be blocked and billed for the materials if they're lost. I think we have done enough due diligence on this that it is time to move forward and go fines free."
As of mid-September, more than 21,000 customers had outstanding fines totaling nearly $190,000, officials said.