Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP

By Shaun Penner

Goodbye to late fees

Grande Prairie Public Library eliminating late fees effective Jan. 1

Nov 30, 2020 | 1:29 PM

The Grande Prairie Public Library is eliminating late fees, effective January 1, 2021.

In a release, library officials say its Board of Directors overwhelmingly passed a resolution to remove late fees at its last meeting.

“Access to libraries is an essential service for the community, so removing this barrier for residents was an obvious decision for the Board,” says GPPL Board Chair Mark Evans.

“Going fine free is a much more effective and responsible use of our municipal and provincial funding and ensures Library users continue to have the services they need.”

At this time, once an account accrues a total of $10 worth of late fees, that account is blocked and the user can no longer borrow from the library.

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As it stands now, there are 1800 cardholders who are not able to borrow any materials due to late fees. Of those accounts, 500 belong to children and teens.

“It’s important that everyone has equitable access to library services,” said Deb Cryderman, Library Director. “Late fees can disproportionately impact those in our community who are struggling financially.”

Cryderman adds that the libraries in Edmonton and Calgary have already moved to a late fee-free model. She adds other libraries across North America have also done this and are seeing positive results.

“(The) Chicago Public Library removed late fees in October of 2019 and have nearly doubled the items returned and have had an increase in their circulation.”

Cryderman also says late fees made up just 1.2 per cent of the library’s overall budget, and the cost to try and collect any outstanding late fees came with a higher overall cost than benefit.

“It tends to cost more in staff time and other expenses to collect,” said Cryderman. “We will be able to pass those savings on to our patrons.”

All existing late fees will be waived in January. However, replacement costs for any lost or damaged items will still be in place.

“We have implemented automatic renewals for all GPPL materials, but those well past the maximum loan period will still be subject to replacement fees.”

The Grande Prairie Public Library serves residents of the City and County of Grande Prairie and the Municipal District of Greenview. In 2019, 430,409 items were borrowed from the library, with a total of 235,771 people visiting the GPPL that year.