Red Bank Public Library is now completely fine-free! We no longer charge daily overdue fines on late items, whether adult, children's, or teen materials!
Why go fine-free?
It's good for our community. Our vision at the Red Bank public library is to be a vital and dynamic force, meeting our diverse and vibrant community's changing needs. Our mission is to enhance the social, cultural, and intellectual life of our community. We recognize that charging fines undermines both the vision and mission of our Library. Fines are a barrier to access; eliminating overdue fines and increasing access to the Library benefits our entire community.
Overdue fines are not effective. Our own experience in the children's room and multiple studies have shown that small fines have no impact on return rates and may work against that goal.
It's good for our relationships. Going fine-free makes a trip to the Library more pleasant for both you and our staff.
What led to this decision?
Since June 2018, the Children's Library at RBPL has been fine-free. We knew from that experience that eliminating fines benefited our patrons. To increase our knowledge on this, we read articles, spoke with staff at other libraries that have gone fine-free, and analyzed our statistics and financial data.
We learned:
· The American Library Association (ALA) encourages libraries to remove all barriers to library and informational services, particularly overdue charges.
· Fine-Free Library systems report positive experiences for both patrons and staff members.
· The administrative costs associated with collecting fines from patrons can equal or exceed the revenue earned.
· Once the stigma of library fines is gone, some communities have found that the removal and forgiveness of fines also lead to the return of long-overdue library books and the return of patrons.
Have other libraries eliminated late fines?
Yes! Visit https://endlibraryfines.info/fine-free-library-map/ to see how many libraries around the world have adopted fine-free policies.
What does fine-free mean exactly?
You will no longer receive a fine on overdue items. You are, of course, still responsible for returning items! We need our items returned!
The Library will send you courtesy reminders to return our items. Materials that are 43 days overdue are assumed lost, and you will be billed a replacement cost. If you return the items, the replacement cost is waived. If the item has been lost and/or damaged, you are responsible for the replacement cost.
Won't no fines prevent people from ever returning their items?
No! Return rates are higher when fines are eliminated. We know this from our experience of being fine-free in the Children's Room. Of course, the Red Bank Public Library will continue to monitor how this change will affect patrons and will make improvements as we see necessary.
Are there any fines/fees that will still be charged to my account?
If an item is overdue for 43 days, it will be considered lost, and fees for replacing the item will be billed to your account.
Any accrual of fees totaling more than $10 will result in your library card being blocked.
Do any items have late fees?
No! All Red Bank Public Library items are free of late fines.
What do I have to do to have fines forgiven and removed from my account?
If you have outstanding fines accrued on your library card from Red Bank items, we will waive them. No questions asked. If you are still in possession of overdue materials, return them in our book drop and we'll just take off the fines.
However, if you have charges from lost or damaged material, you are still responsible for those charges. You can always speak with us, and we will work with you to find an equitable solution.
I haven't been to the Library in years. Will my card still work?
RBPL Library cards are good for three years, so your card may be expired and need to be reactivated. There is also a chance it may have been purged from our circulation system. You can always call us at 72-842-0690 to discuss your card status, or please feel free to visit our Circulation desk during your next library visit.
I thought I cleared up my late fines, so why do I still have a balance?
While we are doing away with fines, fees for lost or damaged materials remain. Also, if you happened to check out a book while visiting one of our sister libraries, you may accrue fines. Each Library sets their own rules, so checking out materials at other LMxAC locations, may mean that you will receive an overdue fine.
How will this affect the Library's budget?
While the Library is always mindful of its bottom line watching funding, any loss of overdue fine revenue is minuscule compared to the good this new policy will do for our community. The increased use of our digital materials (Libby, Hoopla, Freading, Freagal) and other factors have made fines an unsustainable form of revenue. Also, overdue fines account for less than .5% of the Library's budget; going fine-free will not significantly impact the budget moving forward
What is the difference between a fine and a fee?
Fines are punitive. Fees are for library services and products such as replacement library cards, copying, printing, and material replacement costs.
I have always thought of paying my fines as a donation to the Library. Can I still donate?
Yes! Donations are always appreciated and can be made to the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library. We can always improve our services and programming, and donations greatly help!