In July 2020, the Greensboro Public Library announced that it would no longer charge “fines” for overdue books.
However, that is misleading. What the library actually did is eliminate the daily “fines” and replace that with a one time “fee.” It doesn’t really matter what they call it, you still have to pay for a book that is long overdue.
The press release announcing the elimination of fines makes no mention of people who have overdue books being charged a fee. It states, “The Greensboro Public Library announces that the Board of Trustees has approved a change in policy to eliminate fines for overdue books and materials. The new policy takes effect August 1 and includes forgiveness of outstanding fines.”
There is no mention of a fee for overdue books, no matter how long overdue they are. According to the Greensboro Public Library website, books can be checked out for 21 days and can be renewed up to three times as long as there are no requests for them from other library customers.
However, it also states, “Materials kept 42 days past the due date will be sent to a third-party collection agency and a $10 processing fee will be assessed.”
In the press release announcing no more library fines, Library Director Brigitte Blanton states, “The American Library Association has determined that the use of fines does not promote responsibility for returning items on time. Instead we find that the fear of fines makes it less likely that people of limited income will use library services in the first place. Our goal is to remove unnecessary barriers that impact our most vulnerable customers.”
It would seem that if a “most vulnerable customer” could not pay a daily fine, that person would also have difficulty paying $10 for an overdue book.
To be fair the library, in announcing that it was eliminating daily fines for overdue books, should have informed its patrons that while there is no fine, there is a $10 fee if the book is not returned or renewed.
With regard to the collection agency processing fee of $10 for a book not returned to the GSO Library 42 days past the due date, if that book cannot be located by the tardy library customer he/she will also be charged for the replacement of the book. (Librarian’s verbal comment to me). Further It is likely that those customers sent to collection will also have points affecting their credit rating and compliant library customers will have less access to that title. Logically, the modest fines do provide some incentive to return or renew the selection and should be the norm for the privilege of checking out materials from our wonderful GSO Library system. Prominent signage, similar to the mask mandate signage should be displayed at all library branches, I do believe.
Just more double talk from these crazy people. You’re going to pay one way or another.
The Parasitic Sector is chronically mendacious.
Try this “bait & switch” in The Productive Sector and you’ll be featured in the local evening news – as a scam.
I’m sure that its ALL racial, Everything in Greensboro is always racial!!!
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This article is all smoke and no fire and it is clear the author knows nothing about public libraries. Fines and fees are not the same. Fines equal what you pay daily when materials are late. Fees are what is owed for a missing item that is never returned. The author states that the library should have informed the public of the $10 fee while in the next line stating where the information can be found on the website. “However, it also states, “Materials kept 42 days past the due date will be sent to a third-party collection agency and a $10 processing fee will be assessed.” A processing fee will be assessed not a fine and finding the information on the website means that the public is informed. In speaking with one of the library staff, I was informed that you are charged the $10 fee only if you have lost materials totaling more that $50 (something you could have found out had you asked). You won’t find any public library who is willing to just give away materials. Library materials are purchased with taxpayer dollars and when they are not returned other taxpayers cannot enjoy them; therefore, you should be responsible for replacing materials that you do not return. Additionally, the library takes into account individual circumstances. I have taken my children to the library for years and they are always kind and helpful. I for one, am happy to no longer have to worry about fines for my late children’s books. Perhaps you should do more research before attempting to slander a beloved community institution. Again, all smoke no fire.
The Library, along with the rest of the city, is under new management. Fees really don’t work, so they library should suspend privileges until a replacement book is donated.
I get most of my reading from the Library, my reading list will last longer than I do. A couple things I have noticed: Many titles are no longer available, including those that would might be of great interest to a reader such as “The Prince”, or “Tropic of Cancer”. The staff is censoring their inventory of books, and so what we are allowed to read.
Even though the market for scare and rare books is weak, I’ve noticed that several titles there were available, no longer are – they “got gone”.
If you drive over to return a book during off hours, you cannot return them if there is a power failure. The computerized check out is complicated to the point that the staff has do it for many people. So what’s the point?