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Broomfield approves removal of replacement fees for lost or damaged library materials
Summary
Council approved ordinance 22‑98 to eliminate pending and future replacement fees for lost and damaged library items, following staff data showing administrative costs exceeded fee revenue and that returns rose after children’s fees were removed.
The council voted 10–0 to amend the municipal code and eliminate replacement fees for lost or damaged library materials across all ages and formats.
Library director Catherine Lineup said the change continues the library’s shift toward a fee‑free model that began in 2019 (overdue fines removed) and continued with waiver of children’s replacement fees in 2022. She told council that administrative costs — staff time and processing fees — exceed revenue from replacement fees and that returns have actually increased in the years since fees were removed for children’s materials.
Lineup said the library still uses notices and, when necessary, can block library card privileges for habitual non‑returners, but the policy change is intended to reduce barriers to access and prioritize public service. The library board recommended the change.
Council approved ordinance 22‑98 on second and final reading, 10–0.
Next steps: staff will implement the fee‑free policy and update circulation procedures and public information to reflect the change.
