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Started By
Message
re: BR Libraries no longer charging late fees..Equity.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 12:41 pm to TackySweater
Posted on 8/1/23 at 12:41 pm to TackySweater
quote:
Isn’t the library free? Lol
Wtf is this shite
More mythical, nonsensical “barriers” that do not exist.
Lies. Lies. Lies.
0
Posted on 8/1/23 at 12:45 pm to ItzMe1972
Bigotry of low expectations
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:10 pm to ItzMe1972
In the end will the library lose more books? Or is the system helping them keep more books?
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:15 pm to ItzMe1972
quote:
Starting Tuesday, Baton Rouge libraries will no longer charge fees for overdue items — including those that are already late and accruing fines.
It's part of an effort to "reduce barriers for teens and adults that need the Library's resources whenever and wherever they are," officials said in a news release.
"Like most libraries, the amount of money brought in is very minimal and takes more time than it brings value," said Kirsten Edson, deputy director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. "The library also wants to reduce pain point interactions with the public and be a welcoming place where access to materials is equitable."
I'm fascinated by libraries. Each parish pays a pretty penny to have libraries but I am wondering what the actual benefit is. I know books etc. but are people actually using these facilities? I would think they are the least busy they have ever been.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:15 pm to jlovel7
quote:
pain point interactions
quote:
Wtf is this new buzzword?
sounds to me like they are suggesting: avoid interactions where responsibility is implied onto those who take little to no responsibility in life.
This post was edited on 8/1/23 at 2:19 pm
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:15 pm to ItzMe1972
Blockbuster probably has some advice regarding this decision.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:19 pm to TigerSprings
wonder if librarians will get fired for suggesting that patrons return books.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:22 pm to jizzle6609
quote:
I'm fascinated by libraries. Each parish pays a pretty penny to have libraries but I am wondering what the actual benefit is. I know books etc. but are people actually using these facilities? I would think they are the least busy they have ever been.
I can’t speak for other locations, but you usually can’t find a seat at the main library on Goodwood. Always lots of people in there (relatively speaking; it’s a library). Great physical book selection and excellent e-book selection. Plus, the overall complex is great, from sports fields to an underrated botanical garden.
Baton Rouge fricks a lot of things up, but our library system is a genuine asset to the city.
This post was edited on 8/1/23 at 2:23 pm
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:34 pm to jizzle6609
quote:
I'm fascinated by libraries. Each parish pays a pretty penny to have libraries but I am wondering what the actual benefit is. I know books etc. but are people actually using these facilities?
I've been using them more recently to have kids books to read to my kid at bedtime. When I was training for my job I also opted to go to the library to A) print stuff out since I don't have a printer at home and B) study/do my assignments at the library because mentally I'm less likely to get distracted there than from home.
I also don't think it's good form/optics to start tearing down libraries. But maybe that's just me being sentimental.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:36 pm to Joshjrn
This is good to hear because others I have seen look to be just a way to pay government employees without rocking the boat although its sunk.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:38 pm to jizzle6609
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:44 pm to bikerack
quote:
The Harris County (Houston) libraries got rid of late fees back during Covid. They haven't brought them back and I don't think they will.
The fines or the books?
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:50 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
This push of no accountability, responsibility, or consequences for certain segments of our population is really something to behold.
First, no late fees is a pretty common library policy in cities.
Second, if you keep a book or material longer than a couple weeks past the due date, you're barred from checking anything out until you return the late item. There's still accountability; you just don't get the stupid nickel and dime charges.
Third, having lived in a few places now, the baton rouge library system and inventory are awesome, especially for a city its size.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:55 pm to jizzle6609
Going fine free works because the vast majority of people who check out books from their public library return their books. The benefit of fines is virtually obsolete at this point. The library system is more concerned with recovering the item or collecting a replacement equivalent (money or same exact copy) partially because they are still responsible for proper collection management.
There is a less visible benefit to going fine free. Eliminating fines will reduce the time at the end of the night to count the cash drawer, plus reduce financial errors and liabilities associated with collecting that cash. Basically, an efficiency improvement for the institution.
Remember though that fine free doesn't mean consequence free. People will still be charged for lost, stolen, or damaged items. In EPBRPL you'll have 60 days from when the item was due to return the item or pay the replacement cost, or your account will be suspended. Hence, reducing but not eliminating pain point interactions.
There is a less visible benefit to going fine free. Eliminating fines will reduce the time at the end of the night to count the cash drawer, plus reduce financial errors and liabilities associated with collecting that cash. Basically, an efficiency improvement for the institution.
Remember though that fine free doesn't mean consequence free. People will still be charged for lost, stolen, or damaged items. In EPBRPL you'll have 60 days from when the item was due to return the item or pay the replacement cost, or your account will be suspended. Hence, reducing but not eliminating pain point interactions.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 3:39 pm to Joshjrn
Just because I was curious, these are the circulation stats (physical items checked out, including renewal requests) for the entire EBR library system, by branch, by month, plus Overdrive (their online e-book) system:
LINK
Before Covid, the main branch was checking out well over 50k physical items per month. Numbers haven’t quite recovered yet, but June was at 45k, and being summer is a high point for libraries, I imagine we are going to climb back above 50k per month here shortly. Plus, nearly 100k books are being checked out on Overdrive every month.
When you combine every branch plus overdrive, circulation was nearly 250k in the month of June alone.
LINK
Before Covid, the main branch was checking out well over 50k physical items per month. Numbers haven’t quite recovered yet, but June was at 45k, and being summer is a high point for libraries, I imagine we are going to climb back above 50k per month here shortly. Plus, nearly 100k books are being checked out on Overdrive every month.
When you combine every branch plus overdrive, circulation was nearly 250k in the month of June alone.
This post was edited on 8/1/23 at 3:47 pm
Posted on 8/1/23 at 4:07 pm to The Mick
quote:
Probably just hoping people bring the books back instead of keeping them because they don't want to pay late fees. Not a bad strategy I guess....
That is what they found out. Some folks would never come to the library and the books were lost forever.
Once at Middleton I was charged $150.00 since they said the book was so late it was lost. I showed them the stamp and I wasn't late with the book. It turns out the student worker stamped my book but screwed up the scanning when I renewed it.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 4:26 pm to ItzMe1972
Another sign of a society with no repercussions or consequences for their actions, no personal accountability or responsibility.
Posted on 8/1/23 at 4:46 pm to Joshjrn
quote:
Baton Rouge fricks a lot of things up, but our library system is a genuine asset to the city.
We do have a good library system, and we should. It’s very well funded and has more money than they can spend.
They could cut their millages and they wouldn’t miss a beat.
This post was edited on 8/1/23 at 6:01 pm
Posted on 8/1/23 at 4:48 pm to Bubb
quote:
Another sign of a society with no repercussions or consequences for their actions, no personal accountability or responsibility.
Who do yall think are checking out books LOL??
Posted on 8/1/23 at 4:50 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Prepare your anus for yet another citywide tax increase on something to offset this.
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