Kokomo Howard County Public Library Goes Fine Free

The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is making it a little easier to experience the library this year. Starting Jan. 1, library patrons will no longer face fines for borrowed materials returned late to its locations.

Officials say this fine-free policy hopes to allow members of the community the ability to remove financial barriers that may discourage patrons from using the library’s resources.

After seeing success in removing fines from children’s books in 2016, along with other libraries throughout Indiana, the goal is to help visitors see the library as an inviting and understanding place for everyone.

“I’m excited to see the circulation numbers in a few months and I think it will only influence everything,” said Kayla Skiles, head of circulation at KHCPL.

Previously, the fees differed depending on what type of material was checked out.

A late fee for a book started at 20 cents a day up to $4 and after 8 weeks, you would receive a bill to replace the item.

The fees for other items like video games and experience kits were more expensive and started at 50 cents a day up to $5 per item. The late fees for electronics such as hotspots started at $5 a day and maxed out at $50 before patrons received a replacement bill.

To encourage patrons to return items on time, the hotspot will be shut off the day after it’s due and borrowers will receive a replacement bill seven days after failure to return the item.

While books and other items borrowed from the library will not receive fines, patrons will be billed for a replacement and will also still be responsible for costs if an item is lost or damaged.

“We added extra notices and messages so people don’t forget,” said Skiles. “The day your item is due, you’ll receive a notice via their preferred method of communication when the account was set up.

She said if you’d like to update any information on your account and how you receive these notifications, to contact the library.

The number of days items can be checked out is the same, but due notices will be generated quicker and more often before the items’ due date.

In 2016, the KHCPL decided to waive late fees on children’s books as a pilot program to help remove financial barriers between children and literacy. After seeing the success of the fine removal, the library decided to permanently waive late fees.

“They saw children and families were able to check out more materials and it made it more accessible to read these books…which is the goal,” said Caele Pemberton, head of marketing and community engagement.

Skiles recalled a child having late fees for a book and subsequently stopped going to the library.

“So for me, it’s the programs. I hope the parents won’t be too embarrassed by late fees to stop bringing their family to the library,” she said.

Pemberton said that is an all-too-familiar story.

“I go to places around the community and talk about the library and there are adults that don’t have a library card because of late fees that were accrued as a child,” said Pemberton. “We’re hoping to give people a fresh start and work with them based on their circumstances to get them back to the library.”

“Digital books and other online materials borrowed from the apps Libby, Hooplah or Kanopy will still return automatically, so there’s no risk of overdue charges on those,” said Pemberton.

You can read more information on the Kokomo Howard County Public Libraries website here.