Having fun isn't hard when you've got a fine-free library card.
Effective Wednesday, Halifax Public Libraries is clearing all existing overdue fines and will no longer fine people for late returns.
"Overdue fines disproportionately impact our most vulnerable community members," Asa Kachan, chief librarian and CEO of Halifax Public Libraries, said at a news conference Wednesday.
Kachan said there are many reasons for overdue items, such as limited access to childcare, transportation and other obstacles.
“We know there are families ... who are hesitant to visit because they worry about the fines and they may need to make a choice between paying for food to feed their family or paying fines,” Kachan said.
Currently, there are more than 37,000 people whose library cards have been blocked from borrowing from Halifax Public Libraries due to overdue fines and other fees.
We've gone fine-free. "The foundation of the public library is free and equitable service to all; however, we know that a Library fine can create a barrier...Removing this barrier gives everyone in our community lifelong access to the Library." Learn more: https://t.co/v1XGamIKZn pic.twitter.com/FJH0zQ3wcW
— hfxpublib (@hfxpublib) August 5, 2020
The IT team is working on clearing all cards of fines and fees to give those users access to borrowing again.
“Many of those people, based on their pattern of use of the library, just stopped coming when they got fines,” Kachan said. “Those individuals now can walk into the library worry-free and begin to use the library on an ongoing basis.”
Items borrowed from Halifax Public Libraries will still have a return date. Reminders will be sent out and a replacement fee will be added to the user’s card for any items not returned within 30 days of their due date. If an item is returned after the 30 days, the replacement fee will be cleared.
Marika Warren, chair of the library board finance and audit committee, said fine revenue makes up less than one per cent of Halifax Public Libraries’ $28-million annual budget.
In 2019, fines generated $193,000, which has continued to decline as people move toward e-books and audiobooks, which automatically expire on a user’s device.
“The American Library Association and the Urban Libraries Council have found that eliminating overdue fines brings more people into libraries and increases overall book return rates and circulation, so this shows us that not only did it create a barrier, but it was also ineffective,” Warren said.
Kachan said with continued funding from the provincial and municipal grants, donations, parking earnings and other sources of revenue, Halifax Public Libraries will still be able to purchase materials and hold programs in the same manner that they currently do.
“If we can remove fines and somebody can stay better connected socially, can have better mental health, can be more literate, more employable, that’s good for all of us,” Kachan said.
