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More NJ libraries say they will eliminate fines for late books

Starting Monday, patrons of the Johnson Free Public Library in Hackensack will be able to take out books and other materials out without fear of fines.

And this summer, young patrons of the Ramsey Free Public Library will be able to borrow items with no fines attached. 

The two libraries are following in the footsteps of Montclair Public Library, which ended late fines this month. All are part of a broader movement to eliminate the penalties. 

Hackensack Library Director Tara Franzetti said the library’s board of trustees approved the library's going fine-free on June 11, prompted by the American Library Association's resolution earlier this year calling for libraries to eliminate fines to remove an economic barrier for patrons.

“It’s been shown that charging fines is an equity issue and disproportionately affects children and people who are living in poverty,” Franzetti said. “We just wanted to make sure that all of our resources, all of our print resources, all of our books, everything is available to everyone in our community.”

Franzetti said ending the fines will barely affect library finances. The fines make up only a half-percent of the total budget, and eliminating them saves time for employees who must process and collect the money. Fines will still apply to inter-library loans.

She said she is hopeful that the library will able to continue the initiative into next year.

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Ramsey's library’s director, Matt Latham, said that until Aug. 31, any items in the children’s and teen sections of the library can be borrowed with no fines attached as part of the library’s summer reading project.

But the “fine-free summer,” Latham said, is also a pilot project to see if the library can do this more frequently, or even on a permanent basis for all patrons.

“The main point for me is to provide the easiest access to materials and services for the entire community. Fines can act as a barrier for a number of reasons,” Latham said.

Some fine-free, others considering

The Montclair Public Library on June 1 went fine-free permanently for books, movies and other items. If those are borrowed and not returned by the due date, they must be renewed before they can be taken out again.

Montclair library Director Peter Coyl said his employees noticed an uptick in the number of people coming to the library after the policy went into effect.

He pointed to one patron who had racked up nearly $150 in fines on children's items she returned late years ago. "She couldn't afford the fine and started using her children's cards," Coyl said. "When she heard we were fine-free and granting amnesty, she came to reinstate her card so she could use the library on her own again."

Coyl said Hackensack and Ramsey were among several library systems that reached out to him about this policy.

David Hanson, executive director of the 77-member Bergen County Cooperative Library System, applauded the new policies.

“I think for the ones that are going fine-free, it is a new day for a lot of those folks, and we are all excited to see what happens,” he said.

Many libraries are considering making the change. 

Ellen O'Keefe, the Glen Rock Library director, said some patrons have broached the topic with her, and the library's board will discuss the matter.

New Milford Library Director Terrie McColl said his board is keeping an eye on Hackensack, Montclair and Ramsey before making changes.

Meanwhile, Rita Browning, the Cresskill Public Library director, said she plans to present the fine-free issue at the next board meeting in July. But she knows the board's stance on this topic.

"My board is really nickel-and-diming everything, so at this point I don't think they are going to be interested," Browning said.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/2019/06/28/more-nj-libraries-eliminating-fines-overdue-books/1563118001/
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