Library Fines Barriers to Access A mixedmethods study

Library Fines: Barriers to Access? A mixed-methods study of librarian and user perceptions of fines and the impact of fines on overdues

The Literature Hansel & Burgin (1983, 1984, 1990) Not charging fines = short run more overdues, long run fewer, and better overall return rates

The Problem Charging fines a daily practice in most public libraries and we have no idea what the impact of this policy is.

An ongoing study § 7 libraries §Interviews with librarians §ILS data analysis on overdues & circulation for quantitative analysis §Surveyed users/nonusers

Top 10 Reasons Why Fines Are Charged 10. Fines instill discipline, 9. Abolishing fines rewards selfish behavior 8. It’s only a 10 cents a day— who is going to have a

7. It’s easy to avoid fines—we email & text due date notices 6. People should be punished for depriving others 5. Patrons happy to support “a good cause”

4. Fines ensure libraries get SOME money 3. "I appreciate you caring for my tax dollars. “ 2. Increased circ may decrease some revenue streams

1. Fines ensure library items are accessible, not stuck at someone’s home i. e. Without fines, people don’t bring stuff back

Overdue Rates Change? N-fines n = 73 days µ of overdue ratios = 0. 99 St. Dev. = 0. 15 µ of St. error = 0. 02 Yes-fines n = 73 days µ of overdue ratios = 2. 19 St. Dev. = 0. 36 µ of St. error = 0. 04

Overdue Rates Change? p = 0. 00 (2 -tailed significance) t = -24. 8 df = 72 Cohen’s d = 2. 71 % of variance =. 895, very large treatment effect There was a significant change in overdue rates when fines were reinstated. Cohen’s d shows that there was a large effect change, and that it was a deterioration with the reinstated fines.

% of items circ’ed that were overdue 3, 5 3 2, 5 2 1, 5 1 0, 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152535455565758596061626364656667686970717273 No Fines

Did circ drop when fines were reinstated? 5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1 2 3 4 Fines 2014 (Period B) No Fines 2013 (Period A) Fines 2012 (Period B) Fines 2012 (Period A)

Some of the Survey Questions Question Strongly Neutral Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Library fines encourage people to bring their items back on time. 25 3 3 Library fines teach people responsibility/discipline. 16 4 10 Library fines do not fit with the mission of free and equal access for all in public libraries. 11 1 17 Library overdue fees are so small that it 14 3 14 47% these respondents >$100, 000 per year income, 13% does notofimpact anyone to reported pay them. >$90, 000

Some survey comments § I am not alone in returning redbox DVDs late, at $1/day. It is the full replacement cost that drives me to return items. § I am young, and libraries are for old people. They never have what I want or you have to wait forever for it. And I don't

Conclusion Librarians: § Fines = barrier to access. § No fines = increase of overdues Users (so far): § Fines = no big thing Evidence: § No evidence that no fines = increase of overdues

Recommendati ons §Fix ILS data tracking §More libraries track §Outreach/advocac y to users before abolishing fines

§ Book cover images from http: //simplebooklet. com/publish. php? wp. Key =zw. TY 8 m. LCC 3 w. V 31 ORt. ETcye#page=4 § All images used through Fair Use Doctrine exemptions to copyright restrictions, for educational, non-profit use. Shannon Crawford Barniskis, 2014, CC BY 3. 0 US Contact me at crawfo 55@uwm. edu