SUDBURY – The Goodnow Library Board of Trustees and Library Director Esmé Green are pleased to announce that the Library will forego late fees for most overdue materials starting Jan. 1, 2022.
Library staff researched systems that no longer charge fines, both locally and nationally. Research showed that eliminating most fees created a more equitable and inclusive Library:
- Late fines disproportionately affect those who do not have a reliable source of income or transportation, in opposition to the goal of libraries to be accessible to all.
- Late fines do not prompt patrons to return materials more quickly.
- Fines are a continual source of conflict between the community and staff.
- Assisting the public with the collection of fines takes up significant staff time.
- The current fine structure is confusing.
The American Library Association, the world’s oldest library organization, in 2019 urged public libraries nationwide to discontinue fines for outstanding materials.
Goodnow Library will still assess late fines for museum passes and items borrowed from the “Library of Things.” Patrons will continue to be billed for lost or damaged items.
“The vast majority of libraries in the Minuteman Library Network no longer assess fines, or are considering adopting that policy,” Director Green said. “Goodnow Library now will be able to focus more closely on our core mission of providing the best services we can to the Sudbury community.”