Calculating the Hidden Costs of Library Fines

Via OLA/OPLA:

Calculating the Hidden Costs of Library Fines

Public libraries have traditionally collected fines for library items that are returned after the due date and have charged replacement fees for items that have been lost or damaged. However, fines can also be a significant barrier which prevents users from accessing the resources of a public library and doesn’t necessarily act as the intended deterrent.

While fines are a revenue source for public libraries, the cost of collecting those fines can easily outweigh those revenues. Download the full infographic to learn more about the hidden costs of collecting library fines. Learn more about how you can create your own infographic.

OPLA’s Research & Evaluation Committee has been doing research on a variety of issues surrounding the Fines Free topic. The team is in the process of creating a number of presentations, templates, and how-to videos, showing public libraries different ways to advocate for going fines free. New resources will be added to our website throughout the fall of 2021, and will include options for you to recreate the resources with your own logos and library information.

Download the infographic

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