Library late fees fade away

When I was nine years old, I went to the main branch of the Phoenix Public Library (a short bike ride from home) and applied for my youth library card (nine was the youngest one could apply). It was the most prized occupant of my wallet. It was also an important passage into growing up.

Kenilworth School had a well-stocked library. That was unlike today, where underfunded schools often lack what was once considered a basic. Along with the charter school racket, which operates out of anywhere without resources or much oversight (the better to siphon public money to the owners), the now rely on the city libraries. This is a shocking change from when I attended Arizona public schools.

Anyway, my school library wasn't enough for this young bibliophile or for many of my friends. I wanted to wander inside the big coral-colored building at Central and McDowell (Barry Goldwater's name was on the plaque, from when he was a city councilman). The Arizona Room, stocked with history, beguiled me from the moment I walked in. I wanted to have borrowing privileges. Of course if one was late returning a book, a fine was attached. But I never got a fine (and we were broke, often hovering on the edge of financial catastrophe). I took my responsibility as a card holder seriously. Being a library-card holder was a privilege, not a right. I'm still a card-holder of the Phoenix Public Library, as I have been in the many cities and towns in which I lived. Even in little Payson, when I spent the summer of 1967, had a library and I got a card.

Turns out this is very 20th century/last millennium thinking.

In September, Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to eliminate late fees and eliminate all those outstanding. According to KJZZ, City Librarian Rita Hamilton "said the percentage of blocked accounts are higher in areas with more lower-income households. Hamilton told the council industry research shows fines have no impact on materials being returned." She even promised it would increase the materials being returned.

Arizona Republic columnist Abe Kwok argued it was a mistake.

But the move to eliminate fees is gaining traction around the country, including in Seattle and Chicago. Writing in CityLab, Linda Poon argues that such policies will increase access for low-income people and cites research "going as far back as the 1970s shows fears that eliminating fines will deteriorate people’s sense of civic responsibility to return books on time are unfounded."

Librarians are custodians of civilization. But the field of library science is, like all "social sciences," is heavily politicized to the left, part of the Great Awokening, and prone to fads to make libraries "relevant." The shushing librarian of old is as outmoded as the card catalogue. So explaining away the need for late fees is to be expected.

I am with Abe Kwok, however. It remains to be seen how much libraries will lose in fees or how they will make up the shortfall. Or how many items simply disappear.

Worse, it represents a further shredding of the commons, what Dr. King called "the inescapable web of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny." It's been successfully attacked from the top for decades, with tax cuts for the rich, towns wrecked by mergers and cutbacks to enrich shareholders, deregulation that hurts average people, and many more destructive acts.

But the commons works at the bottom, too. I was a low-income library cardholder and can't recall ever getting a late fee. I returned my books on time, not least because I knew I owed it to the next person who wanted to check out the item I held. If I did get a fee, it was modest. All across our society, adhering to a common code of conduct is falling apart. Everybody has an excuse, from the toffs to the many "victims" christened by the media.

Here is where we need conservatism, rightly understood. Unfortunately, that's gone, too. Today's "conservatives" would close every public library. They would only support those that are private, gated properties of the mind. And another American institution begins decadence and decay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Ramjet]

The removal of late fees is simply another example of the erosion of personal responsibility.
I would posit that the economic consequences will not be very great. The money driven government entities involved would never take such an action otherwise.
The funding problems of public education are having a negative effect on the "arts", libraries included along with music, art, etc.
The latest information on the depressingly low test scores of Arizona public school students are, in my opinion, directly tied to the removal or weakening of the aforementioned programs.
I have literally spent my entire life involved in public education. I am the last of 6 generations of educators. I have watched the pendulum swing on techniques of teaching to the materials used.
Funding public education, like any other government endeavor, has always been the largest problem. I have, however never witnessed under the concerted attack currently underway.
I am hopeful that the pendulum will swing back after another election.

[Cal Lash]

I have a number of Library cards and always have had since 1950.
I meet with other writers and readers at the Tempe Library occasionally. The library has coffee and rolls.

Ramjet I wouldn't hold out for a change. The Hunger games is coming.
Books will be out bows and arrows and swords will be in. Prince John and the Sheriff will be back. "The cruel Sheriff of Nottingham—aided by his cousin Guy of Gisbourne, the witch Mortianna, and the corrupt Bishop of Hereford - to rule the land."

I think maybe Librarians are like Firefighters. They hate enforcement. I remember when Phoenix Fire fighters were responsible for enforcing handicap signage. They made it a civilian position. Currently i dont think that task is related to the fire department.
Its like when in 79 they decided to bring four Phoenix police officers to the Fire Department Arson investigations bureau.
And eventually hire a PPD Detective to lead the arson derail.
Alan Brunacini was one powerful administrator.
I was his parents paperboy in 54.
So Jon "keeps scribbling" and we keep reading

[Joe Schallan]

"Custodian of civilization" is the best thing I have ever been called, but American culture is schizophrenic about my profession. Try being a white male at your high school reunion and announcing that your career is that of librarian: "Custodian of civilization" isn't what you get; "leper" is closer to the reaction.

We do real work, you know, and it requires brains. You have no clue about what we really do, and it sure as heck isn't date-stamping book slips or getting paid to read.

One thing, among other advantages, is that the profession gives one a front-row seat at the Tragedy of the Commons. In a curious way, at least in the way the youthful Jon Talton regarded his borrowing privilege, late fees fostered a much needed "we're all in this together" attitude toward the shared resource.

Not that Americans have ever been very keen on shared resources.

[Mike]

Jon -

I've worked at the Flagstaff library for 25 years now, and we've never charged daily late fines in all the time I've been here. I checked with our longest-serving staff member and she's been here since 1977 and we haven't charged daily late fees since then, at least. Now, if you damage an item or just never return it, we do bill you for the cost of replacement. We used to ding your credit report too but that was stopped a couple of years ago due to some change in the law. There were many irate patrons trying to buy a house or a car or a boat that got the mortgage or loan jacked-up over a $29.00 bill for a never-returned book. Good times.

The percentage of never-ever-returned items hasn't budged much over the course of those 25 years, either. I'm trying to run some reports in the system now but I'm going to guess it's around 1-2 % of stuff never comes back. And, of course, our staff is diligent about monitoring the stacks so we know what kind of materials are prone to "disappear" and we'll keep re-ordering as needed (can't keep "On the Road" stocked, or books on wicca and mushrooms. The bible seems to go missing a lot too, which makes me wonder about that particular moral system). Hey, it's FLG - go figure. We just determine that it's the cost of business, and I think our community really appreciates it.

As to the Tragedy of the Commons argument that "we're all in this together" I completely agree. Unfortunately, I also believe that ship has sailed and I don't know if it's ever coming back to port.

[DoggieCombover]

Congratulations, Jon, on a couple of milestones, both your retirement from "the biz" for one, and your recognition in New Times "Best of Phoenix" edition...

I, too, had sort of the geezer knee-jerk reaction to the fine elimination, but on second thought, it's probably not the end of civilization as we know it. Mike the Librarian puts it well, it is just a cost of doing business, just like inventory "shrinkage" or fraudulent credit card purchases.

[Linda Harris]

I am surprised you posted this commentary without doing your normal research. One thing is to find out if the late fees actually justify the time and energy of paid library employees. Thank goodness some librarians and knowledgeable library patrons wrote to set you right. I go to several Seattle public libraries in low income areas of Seattle with my grandkids. I am thrilled to see all ages (lots of moms with babies) and all ethnic groups there using every resource the library has to offer. It is a change in our culture and I applaud it. Latchkey kids get dropped off at the library by the school bus. And there they find adults who help them with homework and how to use the library appropriately. What better environment to be safe and supported in learning and citizenship.

[Kevin in Preskitt]

Many moons ago, I was living alone for the first time in my own little apartment in Chandler, Arizona. I had no car, but Chandler Public Library was within walking/bicycling distance. It was there that I discovered your early Mapstone mysteries. And here I am today.

[El Kabong]

Interesting post and interesting comments. I also grew up in a household that never had much money. Unlike Jon, I did have to pay late fees on occasion. It hurt but I knew exactly whose fault it was. I think having to pay those fees taught me something I needed to know.

[Mark in Scottsdale]

Mike, you brought me joy. The idea of some jackanapes finding out his loan application to buy a jetski was denied because he stole some DVDs from the library just makes me smile.

Jon, your comment about decadence and decay reminds me of this outrageously indignant quote from 1892:

"All is rotten, all is finished, Decadence is cracking and shaking the Latin foundations...Wretched Modernists, your journey into the void is fatal...You might close down the Church, but the Museum? The Louvre will rule is ever Notre-Dame be destroyed."
Sar Josephin Peladan