“A Huge Load Off My Shoulders”: 5 Fine-Free Years, Part 1

Five years ago, the Library eliminated overdue fines, a change that was overwhelmingly approved by Seattle voters when they voted in the 2019 levy (thank you!). We also forgave all outstanding fines to give as many people as possible a fresh start.

We made this change because decades of research, as well as our daily experience, showed that late fines discouraged many patrons from using the Library and are not effective at encouraging borrowers to return materials on time.

Eliminating fines immediately restored access for 18,000 patrons whose accounts were suspended. Five years after that change, the impact continues. Library readers return their items, on average, five days before they were due, about the same as when late fines were in place. About 8% of items at any given time were overdue in 2024, just slightly more than in 2019.

What has this change meant for our patrons?  We asked that question in a recent newsletter, and a number of Library readers generously shared their stories. Here are a few themes that stood out.

A parenting boost: New parent Sandy N. shared that after having a baby, “No late fines removed a significant barrier, allowing me to freely explore different parenting styles and find what worked best for our family. I look forward to future library visits with my daughter, not only to borrow books but also to cultivate a lifelong love of reading and learning within her.”

A boon for challenging schedules: “I am so grateful I don’t have fees when I can’t finish the books in the time I have them,” wrote a patron who finds it hard to get to the Library during open hours. Another reader noted that sometimes “emergencies, holidays, sickness just get in the way, so it is nice to know we do not owe money on top of what is becoming a very expensive life.”

Helpful in uncertain life situations: “I am extremely low income and have also dealt with housing insecurity over the years,” shared a Library reader. No late fines has meant that “I can use the Library without worrying about what financial consequences might come with uncertain life situations.”

Empowered and connected: No late fines “has made me feel more empowered and connected to my local library and the wealth of information it has to offer,” said another patron. “Thank you for this economically just and inclusive policy!”

Less stress for all kinds of readers: A self-described slow reader wrote that they are now more likely to check out a book. A reader whose partner struggles with ADHD and time management commented that eliminating late fines has reduced the “financial burden he often has to bear because his brain works differently than our world is set up to serve.”

Kid friendly, shame-free: Ana, a solo parent of a daughter who loves to read many kinds of books form the library, reported that “not having fees or shame assigned to the late book returns has made reading new books so much accessible for my daughter.”

The parent of a book-obsessed toddler said knowing that they can keep an engaging book a day or two longer without financial repercussions “has been a huge load off my shoulders.” They added, “Keeping the Library a free and accessible resource is foundational to building a thriving community!”

Rooted in Seattle values: Finally, a reader shared that knowing the Library is fine-free “is joyful and makes me proud of our City. It makes real our City’s pledge to prioritize our most underserved and under-resourced community members.”

Our staff have also shared stories of how patrons have responded when they learned about our fine-free policy. A librarian who works in one of our branches shared that every time they explain our fine-free policy to a patron they are “met with shock, delight, and some version of ‘I just love this library!’”  

 Understandably, a few patrons shared concern that our fine-free policy will keep others waiting too long.  While return rates have on average not changed, it is true that patrons do keep certain kinds of materials a little longer than before: For example, picture books are still mostly returned on time, but sometimes families keep these items a bit longer so their children can enjoy their new favorite bedtime stories for a few more days.

This speaks to the Library’s goal of encouraging a love of reading, and we think that is a welcome outcome.

Stay tuned for part 2 in this series, in which we’ll talk about other changes we’ve made to expand access and create a more worry-free borrowing experience.

  Five years ago, the Library eliminated overdue fines, a change that was overwhelmingly approved by Seattle voters when they voted in the 2019 levy (thank you!). We also forgave all outstanding fines to give as many people as possible a fresh start. We made this change because decades of research, as well as our daily … Continue reading ““A Huge Load Off My Shoulders”: 5 Fine-Free Years, Part 1” 

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