Re: Late Fee's Data

[Leanna Frick]

Hey Tay! 

I love this. We did the same thing following the lead of Chicago, which charges no fees whatsoever, and our local public book library system. 

Here's coverage of the public library's decision: https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/enoch-pratt-free-library-eliminates-overdue-fines/

I'm pleased to say that switching from required to suggested late fees hasn't amounted to too much of a loss of income for us:

2021: $5,196

2022: $5,811

2023 (6-month fiscal year): $3,127

Switch to suggested fees

FY 24: $3,527

FY 25 to date (ending June 30): $3,595

As with the public library, it can look like a big hit proportional to that budget line, but it represents less than 1% of our budget overall.

I'm copying in alli...@toollibrary.org to share this data and see if the larger TLA group has other info! 

Leanna Frick (she/her)

410-347-0850 x100
Schedule with me

Please note that I will be on parental leave beginning mid-April! You can always contact in...@toollibrary.org in my absence.

On Mon, Mar 31, 2025 at 1:28 PM Library Manager <libr...@ashevilletoollibrary.org> wrote:

Hey Leanna!

The Asheville Tool Library is having a board meeting april 13th and I'm going to propose switching over our overdue fee's to a suggested donation set up instead. 

We currently charge members a $1 a day per tool.

Do you have any data either from your library doing this or from public libraries that I can use to help make the point of why it's important? 

I think several board members will not initially be on board (no pun intended)--- so trying to sound more official then "obviously this is the kinder path"

Hope you're doing well in your inner and outer world!

Bests,

Tay