Woohoo! This is big. @feltonian just announced during his #StateOfTheLibrary speech at @TheCityClub that @Cleveland_PL will go #FineFree starting in July! #ThePeoplesUniversity #NoFines #EverAgain #CPL150 pic.twitter.com/gdJjHZtOMg
— Margaret Bernstein (@margbern) February 27, 2019
Cleveland Public Library Director Felton Thomas, during his "State of the Library" address at the City Club Wednesday afternoon, announced that the library system would be going "fine free" beginning in July.
(The current fines for overdue books are $0.10/day; for DVDs and reference items, $1.00/day.)
The question of whether or not to abandon fines is evidently a hot button issue in library circles. Those systems that maintain fines do so because they are a vital revenue stream; those that stop charging fines generally do so to encourage wider usage of the library system.
"Fines absolutely discourage people from using the library," said the Director of the San Rafael, Calif., Public Library, in American Libraries Magazine, "especially those in the community who could most benefit from library services."
CPL is this year celebrating its 150th Anniversary with abundant programming and community partnerships to celebrate its history. Going fine free is just the tip of an extremely festive iceberg. The best way to celebrate? Go to the library!