Wauwatosa Public Library no longer collecting overdue fines
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wauwatosa Library Board has announced that the Wauwatosa Public Library is no longer collecting overdue fines on young adult and adult materials, after having previously eliminated fines on children's materials in 2019.
The board noted in a press release issued on Wednesday, Jan. 4 that fines have little impact on return rates. They referenced an American Library Association resolution passed in 2019 that stated, "monetary fines present an economic barrier to access of library materials and services."
The resolution also encouraged libraries to scrutinize fines for the potential barriers they may present to access to library material.
Library Director Peter Loeffel worked with the board to make this change. He believes it will encourage more people to use the library.
"We [got rid of fines] a few years ago with our children's materials, and we had a lot of success. Now we've expanded that to the remainder of our library," Loeffel said.
He tells CBS 58 that last year the number of late fees collected by the library accounted for 1% of its annual revenue.
"The purpose of [late fees] doesn't serve it. It's not a revenue-generating service, nor is it intended to be, nor should it be. This just opens the door for people in the community to use the library more freely," Loeffel said.
One library-goer said she often does not check out books because of concerns with late fees.
"I'm just a notoriously late person," Milwaukee resident Alaina Landi said. "That's why I'm hesitant to take out books because I'm usually pretty ambitious when it comes to reading. I'll check out like three, and only end up reading half a book. I think [no late fees] would lower the barrier. I would feel more inclined to, I guess, take the risk."
Library patrons will still be charged for unreturned items, being unable to check out materials until the items are returned or a replacement fee is paid, but if materials are returned, checking out materials can resume.
There could be fines if you are late returning an item owned by a library still charging fees.
"If a book from another library that still has fines is checked out in another library, or even our library, since it's based on the library that owns the materials, that's how the fines are assessed," Loeffel said.
The Wauwatosa Public Library's new policy went into effect on Jan. 1. The library can be found online by clicking here.