The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is proud to announce that beginning Jan. 1, 2024, library patrons will no longer accrue fees for late materials.
The move, approved by the library board at its December meeting, is focused on removing barriers and making the library as accessible as possible for everyone served by KHCPL.
The new fine free policy will take effect at the beginning of the year, meaning materials checked out after Jan. 1 will no longer accrue late fees. Patrons will still be responsible for replacement costs if an item is lost or damaged, and patrons may still be responsible for late fees on materials checked out before the start of the new year.
For several years, KHCPL has not charged late fees on children’s books. The decision was initially introduced as a pilot program to remove financial barriers between children and literacy. At the end of the pilot, the library decided to permanently remove late fees for children’s books after seeing how successful it was in helping children access library materials.
The decision to remove late fees for all ages is in line with what other libraries around the state and country have done, including the Indianapolis Public Library and the Carmel Clay Public Library. According to Library Journal, many libraries are finding it profitable to do away with late fees, and a survey conducted by Library Journal found that while 92% of public libraries charged late fees in 2017, 36% charged late fees in 2022. Their survey found that libraries that dropped late fees reported higher patron satisfaction and participation.
Kayla Skiles, head of circulation at KHCPL, said the goal is to make the library accessible for everyone, and fees can serve as a barrier for people who may stop using library services due to late fees.
“The ability to provide our community with no concerns if they are a few days late returning an item, I believe, provides patrons with the comfort their library is a positive, understanding and welcoming place,” Skiles said. “When overdue fines are no longer an obstacle, or embarrassment, for those involved, it makes the library a place you want to visit. This decision will hopefully encourage the community to come to the library and check out all our new programs and free resources that they are perhaps paying to use at home.”
Skiles said when she started in her role as head of circulation, she received calls from people concerned about returning materials on time while they were in the hospital or out of state handling a family crisis.
“Patrons experiencing extenuating circumstances should not have to worry about getting their library materials back to us on time,” Skiles said. “That should be far from your mind. We are not only thinking of patrons who may be experiencing extenuating circumstances, but we are also thinking about the busy adult who hasn’t had time to drop off their library items. There is a growing number of adult students who are trying to juggle work, school and parenting. Giving patrons grace during what may be a very difficult or busy time in their story can only connect us deeper as a community.”
Skiles also encourages patrons who accrued late fees before the start of the new year to come in and talk with an employee about options for those late fees. There will also be opportunities in 2024 to waive outstanding late fees. Patrons are encouraged to keep an eye on the library’s website and Facebook page for information on these upcoming opportunities.