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In May, voters in Ohio County overwhelmingly approved a new operating levy for the Ohio County Public Library. Now, the library is showing its thanks by removing all fines from its operation. This will help to provide even more access to residents seeking to utilize the library's offerings.
"It's been a trend," Amy Kastigar, director of the Ohio County Public Library, said of eliminating fines. "Probably five years ago, the American Library Association suggested that libraries go fine-free. Slowly but surely, through COVID and after, libraries have been going down this path. We finally decided -- particularly in light of our levy passing so overwhelmingly this spring -- that it was time for us to do the same."
This doesn't mean that you can start your own home reading collection with materials you check out at the library and never return.
Instead, it's meant as a way to continue access for those who might misplace a book and then never return to the library because they can't afford the fine.
"We're still expecting people to bring their books back as reasonably on time as they can," Kastigar said. "But what they found out through studies was that charging overdue fines was actually a barrier not only for lower-income people, but also for children and teens that don't necessarily have enough money to pay late fees. Because if you accrue so many fines, then you can't use the library. So then, you're just blocked."
This is such an important move -- particularly given the library's momentum with the levy. Kastigar and the library's board made the right call in removing fines.
Expanding access to learning is always the right call.