The Lied Scottsbluff Library is considering going fee-free for overdue items.
Library Director Erin Aschenbrenner says she will ask the Scottsbluff City Council this evening to sign off the proposal.
She says the American Library Association has passed a resolution recognizing late fees and fines as a form of social inequality. She adds that fines create adverse relationships between staff and patrons; prevent patrons from accessing other library resources; and studies show that eliminating late fees results in a higher rate of overall return rate.
Aschenbrenner also notes that the Scottsbluff Library already has two fine free days each week; and have been waiving the majority of late fees due to COVID.
Fines would still be assessed for lost or damaged items.
