Fine Free

Staff Member Findings

Staff members discovered a disproportionate number of blocked cards in areas of the city where people face income challenges and worried that overdue fines were resulting in inequitable access to publicly owned materials.

Months of Research

The above findings led to months of research. We analyzed our service and financial data. We read articles. We interviewed colleagues from other library systems that eliminated overdue fines. We interviewed our staff members and community members. Here’s what we learned:

• Nearly 1 in 5 SPPL cardholders are currently blocked due to overdue fines and fees.
• Library systems that have eliminated overdue fines aren’t going back. In fact, because of the positive impact for both patrons and staff members some said their only regret was not doing it sooner.
• Community members tell us that fines keep them from using the library. They reported a financial barrier, but also the feeling of guilt and shame associated with having overdue fines.

We have been on this path for years.

Library staff members have aimed to reduce the impact of overdue fines for years. Here are some of the steps we have taken to reduce the barrier posed by late fines:

• Children’s and teen materials are all fine free (and are returned at similar rates to those materials with fines)
• No fines on electronic materials, items checked out from the Bookmobile, or items checked out with Library Go cards
• Read Downs are offered for all people at all branches during open hours

Eliminating overdue fines entirely would create consistency across all our material types and formats.

Fines Don’t Work

Data shows that the rate of return is not higher when people are fined for overdue materials. In many cases, people simply stop coming to the Library.

Yes! Now and in the future, all donations to the Library can be made through The Friends of Saint Paul Public Library. Your donation will support critical Library programs and services.

Eliminating overdue fines and increasing access to the Library benefits our entire community!

• Children enjoy picture books and early learning materials that help them prepare for kindergarten and beyond.
• Jobseekers can check out books and resources on resume writing, workforce skills, interview techniques and more.
• Teens are introduced to books and authors that inspire creativity and innovation.
• Immigrants and New Americans gain access to materials that will help them succeed in their new home.
• In 2017, 5,133,819 people visited the Library on site and/or online, borrowing 2,440,606 items. We want these numbers go to up!

Community engagement and national research reveal that fines create a barrier to library use for many people. While many library users incur late fines, the ability to pay them depends greatly on income. Those who are able to pay can keep using the library, whereas those who are unable to pay cannot. This runs counter to our public mission.

Additionally, we learned that even the fear of a fine is enough to keep many people from using the library. The guilt and shame people feel over library fines creates a negative association with libraries and drives them away.

The Saint Paul Public Library belongs to the people of Saint Paul. It is our job as a public library to ensure that all people can enjoy and advance from our vast collection. We hope to encourage prior users to come back and attract new users to experience our offerings.

Eliminating this revenue will not affect Library collections, technology, programs, or services. The Mayor’s budget proposal ensures the Library can maintain its current level of investment in these items while no longer requiring revenue from late fines.

Eliminating fines is fiscally responsible. Due to the rise in electronic materials (which do not accrue late fines) and other factors, fines are not a sustainable form of revenue for the Library. Money collected from fines and fees has gone down steadily for the past 10 years.

This proposal would add $215,000 per year to the Library’s General Fund budget. The impact of this increase on a median value home would be $1.42 per year, or $0.12 per month. A median value home in Saint Paul is $186,200. Visit this site, opens a new window for more information on the City’s budget.

We intended to remove late fines on all patron accounts as of January 2, 2019. If you see a late fine on your account, it is in error. Please notify a library staff member who will clear it.

Your library card may have expired if you haven’t used it in more than one year. Please see a library staff member who can reactivate your card or register you for a new card.

For years SPPL has not charged late fines on children’s items, which were returned at similar rates as those items that were fined. Other libraries have reported that return rates actually increased after they went fine free.

We have increased the number of reminder notices we send to patrons and those items that are not returned will be billed. We will continue to monitor how this policy change affects patrons and will make improvements to our policies and procedures as necessary.

Visit any Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) branch to register for a library card. You will need a photo ID, proof of your date of birth, and proof of your current address to complete the registration.