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Farmers Branch advisory committee advances fine‑free proposal, cites 10,000 expired cards
Summary
A library advisory committee reviewed a fine‑free proposal that would eliminate overdue fines (but keep fees for lost or damaged items), presented data showing about 10,000 expired library cards with fines and that roughly 80% of fines are held by Farmers Branch residents, and agreed to schedule the proposal as an action item in January.
A Farmers Branch library advisory committee reviewed a proposal to eliminate routine overdue fines and agreed to place the measure on the committee’s January agenda so staff can prepare a package for city council consideration.
The presenter told the committee that "fine free would mean that fines only would go away. All fines from the past would be wiped out, and going forward, we would no longer charge fines." The packet included a North Texas map of libraries that have adopted fine‑free policies and links to local coverage and reaction.
Committee members focused on access and equity. One member said her "favorite stat" was that the majority of people with fines are children and that most late fees are charged on children’s books. The presenter also said the library system shows about 10,000 expired library cards (data beginning in 2011 when the current system was adopted) and that roughly 80% of fines appear to be held by Farmers Branch residents; among active accounts with $200 in fines, the presenter said about 85% are Farmers Branch residents.
On revenue, the presenter said fines brought in about $4,000 last year, while print and copy fees produced about $10,500; members argued the potential loss of $4,000 to the general fund would be small compared with the access regained by clearing fines and restoring cards. The presenter and others noted that fees for lost or damaged items would remain in place if the town adopts a fine‑free policy.
Committee members raised implementation questions, including how affected patrons would be notified; the presenter said the committee would mount an advertising campaign and included examples from other Texas libraries. The presenter also noted a records‑retention point: the State Library and Archives Commission recommends not retaining private patron data beyond three years, which the presenter said creates a privacy and liability incentive to clear inactive accounts that are blocked only because of fines.
The committee did not vote on the policy at the meeting. Members agreed to revisit the fine‑free proposal at the next committee meeting in January and make it an action item so staff can prepare cost estimates and materials for city council before the next budget cycle.
Next steps: the advisory committee will review the prepared materials in January and, if it approves the item, forward them to city council for consideration ahead of budgeting.
