Good afternoon. I have been at Wiscasset Public Library for 21 years. The
Library has charged no overdue fees at any point during that time. Patrons
are very happy to not be charged a "fine." The library does have a Donation
and Guilt Jar on the front desk and in the Children's Room. Many patrons
generously donate to the jar. WPL has over 5,500 patrons registered. The
jars net approximately $1,000 to $1,200 a year. There are added benefits in
that more items are returned because there is no fee attached and patrons
feel more friendly toward the library. The system works for us.

Pamela Dunning, Director

-----Original Message-----
From: Maine Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Ellsworth Library Director
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 12:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MELIBS-L] Eliminating fines

We would be interested in the results also.

Charlene 

Charlene E. Churchill, MLIS
Director
Ellsworth Public Library
20 State Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
207-667-6363 ext 100 
http://www.ellsworth.lib.me.us/     
[log in to unmask]                                              

"Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you
back the right one." Neil Gaiman 


-----Original Message-----
From: Maine Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Rachel Davis
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 10:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MELIBS-L] Eliminating fines

I am posting this on behalf our library director, Jay Scherma. Feel free to
respond either to me, to the list, or directly to him:
[log in to unmask]  Thanks!


Our Board of Trustees is considering a change of policy to eliminate the use
of overdue fines here at TML.  We are a municipal department of the Town of
Cape Elizabeth (pop. 9,025,).  We are interested in the experience of any
other public libraries that have eliminated the use of overdue fines to help
us in our decision making process.

1) When did you eliminate fines?

2) What was your fine rate before you eliminated fines?

3) How much money did you raise in fines each year?

4) If known, how much money (in staff time & postage) did it take to manage
fines in your library?

5) What were the positive outcomes from eliminating fines?

6) What were the drawbacks to eliminating them?

7) Did you use any strategies to replace the lost income?

8) Where these successful?

9) Other thoughts, comments, etc. that might help us in making our decision?

Thanks for your assistance,

Jay Scherma, Director
Thomas Memorial Library

-- 

--
Rachel Q. Davis
Assistant Director/Children's Librarian
Thomas Memorial Library <http://www.thomasmemoriallibrary.org/index.shtml>
6 Scott Dyer Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107
207-799-1720
[log in to unmask]
Follow us on
Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thomas-Memorial-Library/1887021245032
97>and
Twitter <http://twitter.com/thomasmemlib> @thomasmemlib