Eliminating Fines and Fees on Children’s Materials to Create a Win-Win for Your Library and Community
Friday, March 23, 2018, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Ballroom A
Librarians have long debated the philosophy and financial role of charging fines and fees for late, lost, and damaged materials. This is still a critical topic as fines and fees pose a significant barrier to library use, especially for low-income families. In this interactive session, explore research on the benefits of eliminating fines and fees and engage with colleagues on this topic, including how to overcome challenges to achieving increased library access.
An online version of this concurrent program session was also presented during the PLA 2018 Virtual Conference.
At the end of this session, participants will:
1: Understand what research findings from professional literature reveals about the perceived and real benefits and drawbacks to eliminating overdue fines and fees for lost and damaged materials
2: Learn from each other about experiences with and challenges and benefits to eliminating fines and fees
3: Understand research and strategies for making a compelling case for eliminating fines and fees at their libraries
The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 1: People with no previous knowledge of the topic.
This session will have: Medium interaction (example: single speaker/panel with questions or discussion throughout)
Handouts: Download 1 Download 2
Track: Imagine
Tags: Leadership, Administration and Management, Inclusion, Leadership, Organizational Change, Transforming Libraries
Presenters
Beth Crist, Youth & Family Services Consultant
Colorado State Library , CO
As Youth and Family Services Consultant at the Colorado State Library, Beth Crist partners extensively with a variety of state agencies and nonprofits, as well as libraries of all types. She is strongly committed to removing barriers to library services, through such measures as collaborating widely, removing fines and fees, and providing excellent outreach services to those that don't use the library.
Terri Spaulding, Collection Resources Manager
High Plains Library District , CO
Terri Spaulding is a Lego-loving, collection development extraordinaire. She is the manager of Colorado's High Plains Library District?s Collection Resources Department. Terri oversees collection development, technical services, and interlibrary loan. She assures that tax-payer dollars are wisely spent while maintaining a vast assortment of materials and services for all customers.
Judiane Koch, Librarian
Centennial Park Library , Greeley , CO
Judi has served the High Plains Library District in a customer service capacity for more than 6 years. She has constant and direct interaction with patrons of all ages on a daily basis. Her focus is on developing STEM programming opportunities for public libraries and forging partnerships to better serve youth in our community.