Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center
City Council votes to end library overdue fines
The Giddings City Council voted Feb. 13, 2023, to eliminate daily overdue fines at the Giddings Public Library. (Click here to read the report submitted to the Council by the library director.)
Studies show that daily overdue fines discourage library use and cause patrons to hold onto library books long past their due date.
Libraries that eliminate overdue fines report a significant increase in on-time book return. We believe that eliminating overdue fines will have a positive effect in our community. Library usage will likely increase. Books will circulate faster. Most importantly, eliminating fines will engender a good relationship between the library, the City government, and the community.
We're delighted to join the growing movement of fine-free libraries.
But what happens if people just don't return library books; that's not fair!
We agree ... it's not fair when library books are unreturned. Member accounts are suspended when members have 4 overdue library materials or owe an account balance of $4. Account balances, overdue materials, and account suspensions are shared among members of the same household. Suspended accounts are not eligible to check out additional materials. Because the library is tasked with wisely utilizing taxpayer funding, it employs a reasonable failsafe for recovering lost library materials. Below are the steps the library takes to recover library materials and ensure the collection remains available for the entire community.
1
Members receive a 3-day reminder
Library members who sign up for text notifications receive a text-message reminder three days in advance of their due date.
2
Eligible materials are automatically renewed
Rather than allowing eligible books to become overdue, as a courtesy, all items eligible for renewal are automatically renewed on their due date if they have not been returned to the library. There are four cases in which an item is not renewable: 1) The item is "new" to the library; 2) The item has already been checked out for 28 days or longer; 3) The item is on reserve for another member; 4) The account is suspended because of overdue items or an outstanding balance.
3
Members receive overdue notification
Library members receive a notification, either by text or phone, when their items are 2 days overdue. By this time, members have been in possession of the material(s) for 16-30 days. Items may still be returned in the next 10 days with no penalty.
4
Members receive overdue letter
By this time, members have been in possession of the material(s) for 28-42 days, and items have been overdue for 14 days. Members now receive an overdue letter. A $2 letter fee is assessed to offset processing costs. Overdue items may be returned within 14 days of the first overdue letter with no additional penalty. The total owed to the library is $2.
5
Members receive final letter
By this time, members have been in possession of material(s) for 45-59 days, and items have been overdue for 31 days. According to Giddings City Ordinance §1.09.002, “All library materials will be charged the full cost of replacement if not returned within 31 days of the due date.”
At this point, the library purchases replacements, and members are responsible for the full replacement cost of materials. A $2 letter fee is assessed to offset processing costs. Items are no longer eligible for return since the library has purchased replacements. Items returned at this time are considered donations to the library.
Library members have 31 days to pay their account balance. The total owed to the library is $4, plus the actual cost of the materials. When the account balance is paid, the member account is reinstated with a lower checkout limit. Subsequently, after one year of on-time material-return history, the member may request to return to the standard checkout limit.
6
Unpaid balances are remanded to an account-recovery agency
When accounts remain unpaid 31 days after members receive the final letter, accounts are remanded to an account-recovery agency for collection. The member is responsible for the full balance on the account and any fees assessed by the agency.
7
Repeat overdue accounts are suspended for one year
When an account has two separate incidents of library materials overdue for 31 days, the account is suspended for one year. One year after the account balance is paid in full, upon request, the member account may be reinstated with a lower checkout limit. Subsequently, after one year of on-time material-return history, the member may request to return to the standard checkout limit.