Joyce K. Carver Memorial Soldotna Public Library will cease charging library fees as we all traditionally know them. The decision was solidified during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday night.
Rachel Nash, City Librarian, explained why Action Memorandum 2020-015 allows libraries to better serve the community: “Over the last couple of decades, public libraries in America have really been moving towards going fine-free. It’s becoming more and more apparent that they do not serve the purpose that they were originally used for, which is to encourage people to return items on-time. Rather, they’re actually discouraging people from returning items or from coming back at all because they’re afraid of these fines. They can become a form of social inequity. The people that really need to use library resources, who cannot buy their own books, especially parents with young children who needs lots and lots of books, they are unable to check-out items when they’re having to choose between buying food for their families or paying their library fines. Even though, to some of us, these fines seem very small, they can add-up over time, particularly with children.”
She also addressed what happens in the event that an item is damaged: “This actually only applies to overdue fines, so if an item is completely destroyed, we would do our best to work with the patron to get the replacement costs covered. In my time working at the library, we’ve definitely seen our share. We’ve even had a few house fires, and in most of those cases, we were able to work with them – and in some cases, we would waive the fees, such as the case of their entire house burning down. Generally, people are able to figure it out. So, just overdue fees.”
She says the Soldotna library is small enough where they don’t see a lot of overdue or damaged items, at only around 7%, compared to the national average of 14%.
Library patrons would be charged for items when they are 30 days overdue, at full value plus a $5 fee. Those charges, however, will be immediately wiped when the items are returned, to help show trust towards the community. Pre-overdue notices are sent out via e-mail three days before a book is overdue, and with this new policy, a phone or e-mail reminder will be sent out three days after a book is overdue.
Patrons have the option to login online and check the item back out, or they can simply bring it back. At that point, their account is given a clean-slate and patrons are free to check out more materials.
Action memorandum 2020-015 was adopted by unanimous vote.
