Grafton Library considers eliminating fines for patrons
The Grafton Public Library collects about $7,000 a year in library fines. Administratively, that’s at a cost of a little over $6,000.
The Board of Library Trustees is proposing that when the new library opens in 2021, it opens fine-free.
No fees for overdue books. No blocked access to library materials because of fees exceeding $10.
“We’re essentially turning off a valuable resource for families with young children,” Board of Library Trustees Chair Aaron Vandersteen told the Select Board Tuesday night.
Vandersteen was seeking a letter of support from the board for the fine-free proposal, part of a national movement that locally has been embraced by Shrewsbury and Worcester. Rather than keep items out of circulation, he said, studies have show that when fees are eliminated “items magically start coming back” because patrons, particularly children, no longer worry about a confrontation with the librarians over overdue fees.
The move has already won over support from the Finance Committee, although they favor trying it for just a year.
Select Board member Doreen DeFazio said parents will likely be relying on the library more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested that eliminating fines will help families. Select Board member Colleen Roy agreed that a one year test of no fees would be useful.
The Select Board voted, 3-2, in favor of writing the letter, with Select Board members Edward Prisby and Mathew Often voting against.
“I cannot in good faith look at Grafton taxpayers right now and say we should do this,” said Prisby, citing the recent override, fees to play school sports, and possible unknown costs from the new library itself.
“Even though the amount of money is quite small, we spend about the same amount of money to collect those fines. We thought is wasn’t a good use of our librarians’ time,” Vandersteen said. He added that the popular “Food for Fines” program, which eliminates fees in exchange for donations of canned goods to the Grafton Food Bank, will remain in some form.
