Creston library is fine without fines

John Van Nostrand, The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa
·2 min read

Oct. 7—Forgot to return the book to Gibson Memorial Library? Don't worry. You will be fine as there is no fine involved anymore.

During the library board's meeting Monday, the board approved eliminating the fine procedure for those who forget to bring the book back on the due date. The ruling was effective immediately.

"Other libraries I've worked were largely fine free," said Gibson Memorial Director Gabriel Chrisman. "That is what I got used to. A public library is free as much as possible."

Chrisman said the fine-free strategy has been a recommendation by the American Library Association.

Chrisman said the fee revenue was not even close to significant for operations.

"The amount of money is minimal compared to other funding. It's not like it ran the library," he said. "We want the library to be encouraging. It's not the old-school library anymore. Of course we need people to bring the books back, but not penalize them for being a day or two late."

Here's how the new system works.

Most items will have two automatic renewals and the user does not have to contact the library. If the item is on hold, meaning another person is wanting the same item, the user will be notified.

If something is due after the second renewal, or is on hold, the library will contact the user. The book, for example, can be declared lost and the user will be charged the cost of the book if the book is not returned. The user will not have library privileges until the cost is paid.

The fine-free is not for all library materials.

"It's a small percentage of people who lose books," Chrisman said. "Those who do lose books, it's not as much of an issue as people imagine. People do bring back things on time."

In other library news; the library will have replica versions of classic video games, popular during the 1980s, to play from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. Games include Galaga and Asteroids.

A program starting at 5 p.. Tuesday will be about the early days of recorded music.

At 1 p.m. Thursday, a Zoom call will be held with a woman working in a African woman's health clinic to talk about her experiences and the issues.