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Clive Library reports fewer blocked patrons after fine-free policy; staff to reconcile checkout figures
Summary
Library staff presented 2025 data on the library's fine-free policy (launched 2022): blocked cardholders dropped from ~1,400 preprogram to 331, overall fees paid increased, hold pickup times rose slightly due to supply-chain and renovation impacts, and mailed overdue notices recovered large numbers of materials; staff will reconcile a discrepancy in 2025 checkout totals.
Stephanie, a City of Clive library presenter, summarized the library's fine-free program results through calendar year 2025 and answered council questions.
Key data and findings presented: fewer blocked patrons (down from about 1,400 to 331) following the 2022 fine-free policy; total fees collected rose because patrons pay replacement costs without overdue fines; yearly physical checkouts dropped in 2024'25 because of renovation and road-access issues but digital checkouts continue to grow; average hold pickup time moved from about 16 to 19 days (physical only) and was affected by vendor disruption after Baker & Taylor closed (staff shifted many orders to Ingram and Amazon). Stephanie identified a discrepancy in the 2025 yearly checkout number (she reported 149,816; another number in the packet showed 154,593) and said she would investigate and report back.
Library outreach changes described: in October 2025 the library mailed third-overdue notices for a sample of patrons and regained material from 21 of 22 mailings; since Oct. 31 staff reported 209 titles returned following mailed notices, and 23 returned items were recorded as returned after being paid for earlier lost-material charges. The library also uses ThriftBooks and other channels to dispose of weeded materials; proceeds are modest.
Council members asked for pre-2022 comparative counts (staff said some historical data are unavailable, and that staff will follow up with circulation system vendors to try to recover prior reports). A councilor who was initially skeptical of the program acknowledged improved metrics after reviewing the presented data.
Next steps: Stephanie will reconcile the 2025 checkout discrepancy and follow up about whether older pre-fine-free reports can be recovered; council expressed general support for continued monitoring of metrics and outreach tactics.
