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Paris City Council adopts fine-free policy for Paris Public Library, retroactive
Summary
The council unanimously approved a retroactive fine-free policy for the Paris Public Library; staff said late fees previously averaged about $23,000 annually and that accounts block after 90 days for lost items with a $4 processing fee.
The Paris City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a fine-free policy for the Paris Public Library effective retroactively.
The library presenter (identified in the transcript as library staff) told the council the library currently charges 20 cents per day for overdue items, which staff said can accumulate and create a barrier to access. The presenter said many libraries nationwide have moved to fine-free service and that a 90-day period before an overdue item is treated as lost has encouraged returns, with the library's practice to place an account block after 90 days and assess the cost of the item plus a $4 processing fee.
Staff reported the library collected about $23,000 per year in late fees before the change and estimated a small share of patrons actually paid fines. The presenter said the library will continue to charge for lost or damaged items and that patrons with blocked accounts may use the library premises but cannot check out materials until outstanding amounts are resolved.
Council members asked about budget impacts and whether the library could recapture value through increased returns and foot traffic; staff said they do not intend to recoup the roughly $2,000 (actually reported as about $23,000 annually) by penalizing the public and that increased circulation may return previously unreturned items. A resident speaker commended the library's services during the meeting.
Council approved the retroactive fine-free policy by unanimous vote; the transcript does not record a formal implementation date beyond the motion to make it retroactive.
