The Franklin Public Library Board on Dec. 22 moved to erase accrued fines for children’s and young-adult materials recorded since Jan. 1, 2019, totaling $7,509.70, as part of the library’s fine-free policy implementation.

Library staff reported the outstanding balance and explained that fines recorded before Jan. 2, 2019, were not included because the library’s practice and accounting system make those older amounts effectively uncollectible. After discussion about timing — specifically items checked out at the end of December that may be due in January — a trustee proposed voiding the fines in the system so staff could “wipe the slate clean” for qualifying records. The board adopted the motion by voice vote.

Trustees directed staff to apply the change in the circulation system and to begin communications with area schools and patrons. Jennifer said the library’s communications plan has already begun and that schools were notified first. The board did not specify a refund process for monies already paid; staff indicated the action applies to existing unpaid fines in the library’s system and that details for any related bookkeeping would be handled through standard finance procedures.

Why it matters: The action removes small outstanding balances that can bar children from borrowing materials and implements the board’s policy preference to reduce financial barriers to youth access. The financial impact to the library’s operating revenue is modest (the fines total $7,509.70) but the change requires system updates and clear patron outreach so patrons understand how the policy applies to returns near the year boundary.

What’s next: Staff will clear the qualifying fines from Fund 16 records, document the bookkeeping treatment for the city finance office and report back to the board if follow-up is needed. The board asked that communications emphasize that fines older than 2019 were excluded because those records are not practicably collectible.