Library fines: should they stay or should they go?
Using the #libraryfines hashtag, we put that question to our Twitter users yesterday. Here's what we heard.
- The conversation began with this tweet from the Ottawa Public Library, asking what followers thought of the elimination of overdue fees in Windsor, Ont.:
Windsor Public Library is eliminating its overdue fines. What are your thoughts on this? bit.ly/A9LIj8- That tweet got us thinking: could OPL do away with library fees as well? We wrote this story, which looked at how OPL's fees stack up to other libraries and how much revenue those fees generate. We also asked our Twitter followers to chime in:
QUESTION: Should @opl_bpo stop charging for overdue books? Reply with YES or NO to #libraryfines. opnfil.es/wftZ4X- Many of you told us OPL shouldn't stop penalizing delinquent borrowers, since fines bring in money and spur people to return their material on time:
No way! #libraryfines help pay for new material. Maybe reduce them, or come up w/ creative ways people can settle debt (foodbank donation?)
@OpenFileOTT @opl_bpo No. Don't like fines? Return your books on time! Can drop books at any branch 24/7 or renew #libraryfines
@OpenFileOTT @opl_bpo NO, fines encourage good behaviour with this shared resource. I imagine the library is lenient in some cases.
@OpenFileOTT No! Library fines help pay for new content and punish the jerks that don't return stuff. #libraryfines
RT @Open_File: No, it does act as a deterent. Otherwise ppl would keep items forever. #libraryfines
No @OpenFileOTT if @opl_bpo stopped charging fines books may be mia for months, turning me to ebooks #libraryfines opnfil.es/x4FxPk
- A smaller, no-less vocal crowd told us that library fines should be tossed out like a ratty old pocket novel:
@OpenFileOTT Agreed. I haven't been to the @opl_bpo in 5 years b/c of fines. Yes to ending #libraryfines
@OpenFileOTT @opl_bpo YES! library fines cost money to process and keep low income people away from needed resources!- #libraryfines @OpenFileOTT There r other sources of $ & other ways 2 encourage returns w/o alienating those who can't afford fines.
- One Twitter user suggested a creative compromise:
#libraryfines What about one amnesty day a year. A surprise one. Not that I need it personally- While others put the question in greater context:
@Open_File @openfileott Don't have a definitive answer but worth considering current library cuts dilemma in TO #libraryfines
@OpenFileOTT A classic user-fee debate similar to ambulance fee. Too high? bad for poor. Too low? Results in abuse of 'free' resource.- We also asked whether anyone had ever had their fines forgiven:
- Actually, @rjeschmi's point brings up an interesting question: have you ever had your overdue book fees forgiven? #libraryfines
