Tribune - Chicago public libraries will stop fining people for overdue books and wipe away patrons’ outstanding debt, a move that makes the city the largest of more than 200 municipalities across the country to do so.
In a Monday announcement, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants to help low-income people regain access to the system that has blocked them from borrowing materials because they have hit the threshold of $10 in fees.
Research cited by the American Library Association and the Urban Libraries Council suggests eliminating overdue fees also should increase overall book return rates and overall circulation rates — meaning more books in the hands of more Chicagoans.
Man, I wish my local library did this. I'm sure my overdue fines have reached WAY above $10, which is impressive considering at one point it was five cents a week. Come to think of it...I can't remember the last time I set foot in a library. Which kind of makes me sad. I do enjoy books but Barnes & Noble has a coffee shop attached to it and...well my library doesn't. That's an awesome move by the city though! I'm gonna pretend I had an outstanding debt just so I can celebrate no longer having one! If you actually had a fine, this beer is for you. Cheers!