#34: Consider going fine-free

Since library fines are charged at the same rate for all patrons regardless of income, they basically operate like a regressive tax—the same $1/day late fee is a significantly larger fraction of the weekly budget for a patron who lives on $15,000 a year than for a patron who lives on $80,000. Thus, fines are an equity issue—they are more likely to be a barrier to access for people who already face more of those barriers than the average patron. Moreover, fines and fees typically make up a small proportion of a public library’s operating budget and in some cases libraries may spend more collecting the fines than they make as a result of collection. Whether or not you currently have any influence over your institution’s fine policies, educate yourself on the case for going fine-free so that you can be ready to be an advocate if it is ever on the table.