Do fines keep people away from the library? My personal and unscientific personal analysis is that yes, they do.
Why do people avoid the library when they have accumulated fines? Some are embarrassed. Some don’t have the financial ability to pay. Others may not understand the avenues for resolving a library fine and then just avoid the library when their fines reach an unpayable (or blocked) amount.
Seriously, what library wants to send a patron to collections? (Excluding Seinfeld’s library cop, of course.)
We’ve all seen it: the exasperated parent who discovers a card is blocked because of a misplaced book or DVD, and who then scolds their child and tells them they can’t check out any more materials.
This is unfortunate for everyone involved. First, for the patron, who has lost access to library materials. Second, for the Library, which may be either without materials, or losing potential patrons.
One aspect of my position is to foster and conduct cooperative programming within the community. I’m constantly on the lookout for new partners, and new ways to bring services to the community. So, how do we bring patrons to the library? And, more importantly, how do we make them repeat visitors?
The genesis for this post was a vacation picture that a friend tagged, knowing I’m always interested in new library ideas. It showcased a novel way to engage people in the community and to help eliminate their library fines at the same time.
The picture was of a small, simple sign announcing a Fine Forgiveness program offered by Michigan’s New Buffalo Township Library: Trash for Fines. During June and July patrons could snap a picture of themselves and family or friends collecting trash around the community, and the library would waive $5 in fines.
What a great idea! Get out and get some fresh air, clean up a park or a roadside and make a difference in your community. Shaving $5 off your library fine is just a sweet bonus.
Libraries across the nation have come up with alternatives to fine collection. Here are a few that engage patrons in community involvement of one sort or another.
- Probably the most popular program is Food for Fines.
- Volunteering at the library or other community agencies to work off library fees is another widespread option.
- One more super original idea I’ve come across is hosting a blood drive. Donate blood to reduce your fines.
These are just a few creative ways to offer patrons fine forgiveness and build bridges between agencies. Do you have an innovative fine forgiveness program not mentioned here? Please leave a comment and tell us about it.
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Today’s guest blogger is Alexa Newman. Alexa is a Youth Services Librarian at the Algonquin Area Public Library in Illinois, where she focuses on community programming. Besides her regularly scheduled duties, Alexa created and runs the library’s annual drama camp, storytelling festival, and teaching garden. In her spare time she loves to read, dabble in the arts, and putter in as many gardens as possible. Alexa is currently serving on the School-Age Programs and Service Committee and on the AASL/ALSC/YALSA Joint Committee on School/Public Library Cooperation. She is a former Chair of the Quick Lists Consulting Committee.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.