Late Fees at Toronto Public Libraries may be Eliminated Permanently in the Near Future.

by: Karen Alassaf 

TORONTO – Toronto Public Library (TPL) has announced on Wednesday, December 24, 2021, that Late fees for overdue library books may soon be obsolete in Toronto.

Overdue fines for adults and teens have been proposed by TPL as part of the city’s 2022 operating budget.

Shawn Mitchell, TPL’s director of Collections and Membership Services, said: “I think this has been a long time coming.” Shawn added, “We’re actually a little behind a lot of other library systems that have already gone fine-free.

Mitchell says the plan was based on data from the American Library Association, which found that charging late penalties did not make users return materials on time.

“Research also reveals that the pandemic has disproportionately affected communities” Mitchell added. “Another reason we think this is a really significant push that we should be making from a social justice lens to ensure that everyone have the supports they need to recover from the epidemic is because of that.”  

TPL board member and Toronto councillor Paul Ainslie said: “he has heard from a number of residents who are having trouble paying their fines and are apprehensive about using library services as a result.

According to Mitchell, The response to the lack of late fees has been generally positive, Mitchell said, with some parents saying that overdue fines were sometimes a deterrent for children visiting the library.

Materials may be marked as missing after around 40 days from the return date. Borrowers will receive email reminders from the library, giving them plenty of time to prepare. Customers may also be charged to replace things that have been lost or destroyed.

The city did not start yet charging late fees for overdue books because they are waiting for approval.   

Ainslie said: “ he supports eliminating late fees because he believes it will benefit the most disadvantaged people in his community, and he thinks the measure will get the full support of the council at the budget time”. And he added: “I do not understand why the city would reject the proposal given its insignificant impact. 

And he added, “I believe our library system is for everybody, regardless of your income or your race, your gender.”

In February, the Toronto city council is anticipated to vote on the operating budget for 2022.

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