AMES, Iowa -- The Ames Public Library will no longer charge fines on overdue books and other items.
"I think we all recognize that it is a barrier to access, and sometimes, our customers who need us the most are blocked or deterred from using us over fear of fines" says Ames Library Director Shelia Schofer.
She says the fines can especially penalize people with lower incomes.
"Overdue fines not to turn irresponsible patrons into responsible ones. They only distinguish between patrons who can afford to pay for the common mistake of late returns and those who cannot" Schofer says.
She says overdue fines are less than two-percent of the library's annual budget, and the library's Board of Trustees has already made adjustments.
"We'd already been making efforts to work with our community a little bit better to manage fines and reduce them. I think we've seen some steady decreases" Schofer says.
The Ames Public Library already has some fine-free experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Library closed in March, due dates were extended and fines were suspended.
Schofer says the change only effects overdue charges. The library will continue to charge for lost or damaged items.
The Ames Public Library joins a number of libraries across the nation to no longer collect overdue fines