07-22-2024 (Library) Agenda Packet Wylie Library Advisory Board Regular Meeting %A1
July 22,2024—7:00 PM fN
Council Chambers -300 Country Club Rd., Bldg. 100 Wylie, TX 75098 C,�...F C
LI E
CALL TO ORDER
Staff Spotlight, Carmen Ramirez, Library Technician
COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Any member of the public may address the Board regarding an item that is not listed on the Agenda.Members of the public
must fill out a form prior to the meeting in order to speak. The Board requests that comments be limited to three minutes for
an individual, six minutes for a group.In addition, the Library Board is not allowed to converse, deliberate or take action on
any matter presented during citizen participation.
CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Board and will be enacted by one motion.
There will not be separate discussion of these items.If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the ConsentAgenda
and will be considered separately.
.. Review and approve the June 24 meeting minutes
REGULAR AGENDA
1. Nominate and vote on Board Chair
2. Nominate and vote on Board Vice Chair
WORK SESSION
W51. Review Fine Free Information
.Z. Review monthly report
3.. Review upcoming programs
ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATION
I certify that this Notice of Meeting was posted on July 19,2024 at 5:00 p.m. on the outside bulletin board at Wylie
City Hall, 300 Country Club Road, Building 100, Wylie, Texas, a place convenient and readily accessible to the
public at all times.
Stephanie Storm, City Secretary Date Notice Removed
The Wylie Municipal Complex is wheelchair accessible. Sign interpretation or other special assistance for disabled
attendees must be requested 48 hours in advance by contacting the City Secretary's Office at 972.516.6020.Hearing
impaired devices are available from the City Secretary prior to each meeting.
If during the course of the meeting covered by this notice, the Board should determine that a closed or executive
meeting or session of the Board or a consultation with the attorney for the City should be held or is required, then
such closed or executive meeting or session or consultation with attorney as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings
Act,Texas Government Code § 551.001 et. seq.,will be held by the Board at the date,hour and place given in this
notice as the Board may conveniently meet in such closed or executive meeting or session or consult with the
attorney for the City concerning any and all subjects and for any and all purposes permitted by the Act, including,
but not limited to,the following sanctions and purposes:
Texas Government Code Section:
§ 551.071 —Private consultation with an attorney for the City.
§ 551.073—Discussing prospective gift or donation to the City.
§ 551.076—Discussing deployment of security personnel or devices or security audit.
:pr: 9 � 2
0712212024 Item A.
Library Advisory Board
WYLIE
Minutes
In-person Meeting
June 24, 2024—7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
Announce the presence of a Quorum.
Justin called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. The following Library Board members were present: Justin
Strauch, Brian Ortiz, Monica Munoz, Zachary Todd, Roberta Schaafsma, Irene Chavira & Toshia
Kimball &Ofilia Barrera Board Liaison.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Megan Goode, Reference Assistant(Adult Services)
Megan has been with the library for 11 years; she joined the staff in 2013. She enjoys the variety of
different projects her position is a part of.
• Senior Book Club
• Silver Linings
o Outreach for citizens with any kind of mobility impairment
• Interlibrary loans
Megan also enjoys her time at the help desks. This affords her the opportunity to interact with Wylie
citizens.
Toshia inquired how the books are chosen for the Senior Book Club.
♦ With a need for books in a variety of formats: large print, regular print, digital, &audio,
the Adult Services Staff composes a list of around 20 popular titles and the book club
members vote for their top 11 choices.
• Ofilia added, The Friends of the Library have begun purchasing the books for the
club because since Covid the cost for large print books has become very
expensive.
Justin asked what the average attendance is for the Senior Book Club.
♦ Usually from 15 to 20 and many have been attending for 8 or more years.
Roberta questioned if this is the same book club that used to meet at the Senior Center.
♦ It is; however, since the transformation of that facility into the Community Center, the
library has fully taken on all aspects of the club.
CITIZENS COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Residents may address Board regarding an item that is not listed on the Agenda. Residents must provide their name
and address. Board requests that comments be limited to three (3) minutes. In addition, the Board is not allowed to
converse, deliberate, or take action on any matter presented during citizen participation.
No citizens were present at the meeting.
Minutes June 24, 2024
Library Advisory Board 3
Page 1
0712212024 Item A.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of the April 22, 2024 Library Board Meeting.
Board Action:
The Library Board Minutes of April 22, 2024.
♦ Justin encouraged members to review the minutes.
♦ A misspelling was pointed out and attributed to the autocorrect feature: three occurrences
of Brain should be Brian.
• Zach made a motion to approve the minutes with the three spelling edits.
• Monica seconded the motion.
All votes were in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
WORK SESSION—DISCUSSION ITEMS
WS1.Review the monthly report
While providing an overview of the report to the Board, Ofilia noted that this month's report reflects the
beginning of Summer for the Library as well as the impact of the storm that left many citizens without
electricity for some time.
• The large increase in attendance for Kid Events is primarily due to the Summer Kick-Off Event
which had just over 2200 in attendance.
Justin requested clarification on the New Borrowers section.
♦ Ofilia confirmed that those numbers represent new library card accounts.
Toshia asked for an update on Business Exchange.
♦ Attendance typically drops around holidays and during the summer;then picks back up in
the fall.
Zach inquired about the tour given to the Town of Prosper.
♦ The mayor, city management staff, and library staff for Prosper are touring several other
libraries to get ideas. They are looking to build a new library,possibly a library/rec
combination, and were interested in the pros & cons of the setup.
Toshia asked how the library garden is doing.
♦ The summer heat doest have an effect on the garden and its volunteers. Many of the
volunteers come early in the mornings and the watering schedules have been increased.
A new garden shed has been installed.
Justin questioned what two meeting highlights were: Lisa's virtual meeting with the Hoopla Rep
and Ofilia&Debbie's meeting with B&B Theaters.
♦ The Hoopla meeting was to discuss possible budgeting solutions.
♦ B&B Theaters invited the library to have an information table setup at the showing of IF,
the movie about imaginary friends. It was a great way to connect with people from some
of the farther out areas such as: Rockwall, Royse City&Greenville.
Justin asked for more information in reference to the meeting with a vendor regarding the smart
chute and people counters.
♦ The current smart chute is in need of an upgrade; however,it would be very expensive.
The people counters only read individuals passing through the gates near the service
desk; they do not capture those who enter the building and head directly to events in the
rooms just off the lobby. The meeting was with an alternate vendor in hopes that they
will be able to offer some reasonable solutions.
Justin asked how the Taste of Wylie was.
♦ Xcenia shared her experience as a first time volunteer.
Toshia inquired about the FY25 Budget talks.
Minutes June 24, 2024
Library Advisory Board 4
Page 2
0712212024 Item A.
♦ The library has only requested a slight increase for digital resources.
WS2.Review upcoming programs
Ofilia highlighted a few of the noteworthy programs coming up in July.
• Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale&Presale
• Harry Potter's Birthday Party
• Mariachi Harp
Justin asked if summer has impacted teen attendance for programs.
♦ The Teen Librarian is so well connected with them, throughout the school year,that
attendance stays strong for the variety summer programs.
Brian inquired about Checkmate: Chess Night
♦ The program is not necessarily a tournament, although some participants may choose to
play that way. This will be the library's first chess program and is intended for all skill
levels.
WS3.LAB Meeting Dates June 2024-June 2025
• During the July 22nd meeting, a vote will be taken for chair.
• The November 25th meeting may be canceled due to the proximity of the holiday.
WS4. Stakeholder survey for strategic plan
The QR code provided in the agenda packet is specific to the stakeholder survey and the Board is
encouraged to fill it out by August 31st. This will ensure feedback is considered for the new 5-year
strategic plan. The QR codes posted throughout the library are specific to the patron survey.
WS5.Fine free discussion
The library is one of few in the area that still charges a fine for late fees. Ofilia asked if the Board would
be interested in discussing the removal of these fines and what data would be needed for consideration.
Articles, financials, and any other data that can be gathered will be presented at a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Toshia made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Monica seconded the motion. All votes were in favor; the
motion passed 7:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:54pm.
Justin Strauch, Chair
Minutes June 24, 2024
Library Advisory Board 5
Page 3
1 0712212024 Item
erd u e-fi nes-u ndercut-I i braries-m i
ssions.htmi
Lon ow Overdue
5
Why public libraries are finally eliminating the hate-return fine.
BY RUTH GRAHAM 6 E1,1'3 06,2017 - 10 11 AM
P)
......... A
Vw,
15
6
1 0712212024 Item
In"1906,, irelporter for the Deti,oft,Free Pi,essdescribed a scene that had become a I I too
colmmion at thecity's pub llic I!braries.A ch!I lld hands am overduie book to a stern librarian
perchedl behind a desk,and with a"slinister expression,"the libr,ar'lian demands payrnient of a
late f ine.in some cases,,,t�hie child grumbles and plays t�hie penny or two., But in others—often at
the city's smaller,,ploore,r library branches—the offender cannot pay,and his borrowing
privileges are,irevoked."Scarcely a clay passes but it does not leave its record oftears anid sights
and vaijin regrets in little hearts,"the reporter lamented.
More t'hian a cenit�ury later,, similar dramas are stifll enacted in Ilibr,ar'lies across t�he countiry every
day., In some,districts,up,to 35 percent of patrons have had their borrowing priviile,gies irevoked
because olf'unpaild fines.Only these days,,it's librarians themselves whol often lament what the
Detroit replorter callled"a tragedy enacted ins this Ilittlle court of equity." coNw some,libraries are
deciding that the money isn't worth the hassle—niot only that,,but that fining patrons works
against everything that pluNic librairies ought to stand for.
Libraryflnes'ins most places,remain quainfly low,sometirnes just'10 cents per,dlay..But onie
user's norninal is,ainiother's exorbiltan't.IIf a child checks out 10 picture books,the kind ofhaui
librarlans love,to,encoliurage,,and then his mother's wolirk schedule prevents her f r,om returning
them for a week past the due date,,that's $7.For,middle-class patrons,that may feel like a slap,
on the wirlst,or even a feel-good donation. For low-Inicornie users, however, it can Ibe a
prohiblitively expensive penafty.With unpredictable costs hioveringi over each checkout,too,
maniy families decide iit�'s,safer,inot toy use the librairy at:all.,As one Caflifornia molthe,r told t�hie
New York Timles last:spring,,"i try to,explainto[my claughter],'Don't take,books out.it's so
explensive."
7
1 0712212024 Item
Thiegood news,is that librarlanis acre notilci in g.SI nice 2010, districts !in northern 1111 inols,
Massachusetts,California, and Ohiio to nanne a fewer—have elimiliniateci some,or all late fines.
Others are dramaticaHly lowerling penaltlesfor late returns; Ilast year,San Jose,Californla,
hiallved dally fines to,2,5 cents anid slashed t�hie maxilmium Ipayment per itemi to$5 f'rolim$20.The
American Library Assoc latlon issued a Ipollicy birief'on services for the poor in 20112 whose first
poln't was a vow to promote the,removal of fees and fines.Is t�hiis"the end of overdue fines"?"
wondered the Public Library Association as,the trend continued to gather steam a few years
later,.
In C&Iumbus,Ohio,t�hie library board announced in December that !it would ehminate overdue
finies starting on Jan.1.,The,move came when the,board realized that fines not only weren't
encouiragling the timely return of riniaterilals the,little existing research on the,topic suggiests,
that smmalll fees do,not:affect overdue,rates—but that fines were actilvely working against t�hie
library's very reason for existence."We've,shut off access to,the libra,ry when one of our
staunchest principles !is tryiing to provilde the,widest access,to materlais that we can,"the,
systeirn's CEO,,Patrick Los]ns,ki,said.""We just felt fines ultinnatelly were,counter to the oveiraH
purpose and vision ofour 1111brary." Instead of issuing daily fines,the,library now blocks,
borrowlingi prIvHeges foir aniyone,withi materlall rinore,than 211 days late and charges
replacement fees,after 35 days that are refunded if the iterni !is returned.It already offers a
separate kids'card,which aHows children to borrow up tothiree books,at a time ainci doesn't:
chiarge overdue fines.
Late,fines and replacernient fees can have a hugie cost to the comimuniit�iies libraries are meant
to serve.,Low-jinicome children are drama,t�iically less Illkelly to have access to books at hiomie or
to spend throne reading with their parents.A study conducted in the'119,90s found that the,
average,chlid in Beverly i California, had four timies as miany books at hiomie as the average,
child In Compton,California, had in her 61assroom library.(The average Compton kid,
meanwhile,had 2.7 Ibooks at horne.) More recent research has identified miainy poor
neighborhoods as "book deserts, with dramat�licallly fewer reading resources than wealthier
areas. "We're,dilsproportionately affecting the peopile,we're miost interested In getting to the
library,"'saucy Meg Dei the author of a 20116 white paper recornmendling that Colorado
libraries elimijinate fines on children's materials,"the people who,can't afford to buy books,
themselves."
1-81
1 0712212024 Item
ture/
Imagining A Fine-Free Future
Midwinter panel argues for the elimination of fines
By Phil h,�oiohaj� Febwary 11,2019
CD 0(15/ 0 0
o fine or not to fine? The question
YM,
divides the library community. In
Fine Free Future, a Center for the
ij,,,, Future of Libraries program at
the 2018 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in
Denver, three librarians waded into the
argument to advocate for the elimination
of fines for overdue materials and to
advise librarians on how to make a case to
administrators and community members
Pctci Bi,ornf-Ict I,Sat aL I ina:,htor,and Gi etchen Ca8,ror6,-u who may be opposed to t1le idea.
"Fine I'�I ulr,"q Co�Vw I: fOr d I�, htu If"OfLihrni'cI�
progiana aT dw 20J8 �heting(Sr,FJiibiuII in Dmvei Gretchen Caserotti,director of Meridian(Ida.),Library
District,began by asking the standing-re oni-only crowd
whY libraries charge fines.Answers ranged froin"It's a
revenue streani for the city"to"It's a tool to teach responsibility to younger patrons."She said there is little
research to support these,according to"Removing Barriers to Access,"a Colorado State Library white paper.
Rather,there are larger philosophical arguments against fines.
1-91
1 0712212024 Item
"Are they the right thing to do?"asked Peter Bromberg,director of Salt Lake City Public Librai.y.
Fines adversely affect lower income populations,Broniberg said, and can make people avoid the library
altogether. He relayed an anecdote about a conversation lie had with a Lyft driver about fines.The driver
stopped going to the library because of his backlogged fines.
"It's like having to pay another credit-card bill at tile end of the month that I can't afford,"the driver told
Bromberg.The words had an impact on the librarian.
The panel broke down various arguments and conversation points to help librarians justifv,eliminating fines.
T'liey said that it was not tile library's job to teach responsibility to patrons.
Sarah Houghton,director of San Rafael(Calif.)Public Library,said fines get in the way of a library's mission to
serve the entire community,regardless of socio-economic standing. Barriers exist for some populations to pay
fines, and by enforcing them,libraries are subverting their core,values.
"Is it the hbrar.�'sjob to teach moral instruction?"Houghton asked. "It's not our job to do that;it's not a core
value.We have to weigh our core value.of access to all over nioral responsibility."
The trio insisted that knowing baseline census,demographic,and economic data is crucial to swaying
administrators and community to eliminate fines.Politics iriust be considered as well. Bromberg noted that
compelling arguilients can be made to con-drice detractors of all political leanings by simply using the right
data for the right audience.
Logistics inust be considered as well, they,said. Libraries imist know what their ILS systems can and cannot do
in regards to fine elimination. Fine overrides may have to be conducted manually. Staff retraining may be
necessary,especially for staffers who may,be opposed to the elinrination of fines.And policies explaining just
what fines will be eliminated or reduced must be put in place.
The panelists explained their own libraries'experiences with fine elfinination,and the results were
overwhelmingly positive.
Bromberg said checkouts rose lo%at Salt Lake City,Public!Library, and the number of new cardholders rose
3.5%. Getting rid of fines brought new people into the library and allowed previous users to return,lie said.
Houghton relayed a stoi°,about a mother who carve into the library to return all armful of long-overdue
children's books shortly after San Rafael Public Library instituted its no-fine policy for kids'brooks.When told
that she wouldn't be fined,the mother broke down in tears.
I can now afford to buy dinner tonight,"she said to Houghton.`17he woman's response alone is enough to
justify the end of fines,the panel agreed.
F-10 I
0712212024 Item WS1.
Fine Farewells: LJ's 2022 Fines and Fees Survey
by Andrew Gerber
Sep 28, 2022 1 Filed in News
Us 2022 Fines and Fees Survey shows a transformed landscape
since 2017
Many public libraries are finding it valuable—even profitable in
PNES ways that go beyond revenue—to reduce and eliminate some
� fees, particular) late fines as shown b the responses to LJ's
SURVEY 2022 2022 Fines and Fees Survey. In comparison to LPs 2017
y
survey, the percentage of U.S. public libraries charging
patrons overdue fines dropped dramatically from 92 to 36. From near universal to a minority
represents an amazing sea change in the core assumptions of how U.S. public libraries operate
in only five years. Some other fees (such as those for printing, copying, and faxing) are still
charged by 78 percent of libraries, still a significant decrease from 2017's 86 percent.
While eliminating late fees was not an option for some libraries surveyed in 2022, the
respondents whose libraries did abolish them pointed to increases in patron satisfaction and
participation and to staff morale. One librarian in Minnesota enthused, "It has engendered a lot
of good will in the community and we have seen people—and even materials!—return to the
libraries after years away."
Three hundred twenty people participated in the survey. In every size category, especially the
largest, the number of libraries that have dropped fines have increased in the past five years.
Among the 64 percent of libraries that do not currently charge late fees, certain trends emerge.
A nearly universal 95 percent of this group previously charged fines for overdue materials. About
half (54 percent) eliminated fees during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, and
many chose to keep this policy afterward.
Some hoped the lack of fines would increase patrons' usage of the library, and in a number of
cases this appears to be true. A quarter (26 percent) said circulation in their libraries has
increased, about the same (25 percent) stated that it hadn't, and the remaining 49 percent did
not know—comments indicated that they were unsure whether circulation changes were
attributable to changes in fine policy, the pandemic, or both.
Eight percent of newly fine-free libraries, according to the survey, attempted to replace or offset
lost fine revenue through fundraising, collecting voluntary donations at the circulation desk (such
as via a fine forgiveness jar), and increasing their local budgeting request. One library added a
F1_1
1-�passport agency; another started charging for for-profit/private meeting room rese 07/22/2024 Item WS....................................... WS
LIBRARY CHARGES A FEE FOR...
2017 2022
Printing 94% 95%
Copy machine/Photocopier 97% 94%
Faxing n/a 61
Processing fee for replacement of lost/damaged items 54% 53%
Library card replacement 77% 52%
Non-resident fee 48% 48%
Space rental/Meeting rooms 38% 34%
Debt collection processing fee 34% 25%
Interlibrary loan/Document delivery 32% 22%
3-D printing 6% 19%
Scanning 16% 1 1%
Test Proctoring n/a 10%
Notary services n/a 6%
Holds not picked up 12% 3%
Special Collections/Genealogy services 3% 2%
SOURCE: UFINES&FEES SURVEY 2017,2022
A WEALTH OF REASONS
Respondents who chose to eliminate fines listed various grounds for their decisions, including
opportunities to foster good will and improve customer service, promote social justice, and
adhere to their mission statements and directives. In some cases, the decision to discontinue
late fees came about because libraries successfully suspended them during the COVID
pandemic and decided to continue doing so. Other libraries made the decision to not charge
late fees decades ago.
F12]
1-�Some looked at the success of other libraries that have gone fine-free. Adult Progr 07/22/2024 Item WS....................................... WS
Coordinator and Reference Librarian Kristina Giovanni of Bloomingdale Public Library, IL,
recounted, "A neighboring library stopped charging fines/fees in 2019 and their success, on top
of the pandemic in 2020 that involved patrons holding onto materials far longer than we would
typically allow, made going fine-free the most sensible option."
San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) Strategic Data
CHANGES IN MONTHLY FINE y REVENUE OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS* Anal st Zahir Mammadzada described how the library
came to a similar conclusion. "Based on extensive
research of national publications, conversations with library leaders and experts across the country, surveys of patrons
and staff, and rigorous analysis of SFPL data, SFPL
concluded that the use of overdue fines did not align with
the library's goals," he wrote. "Overdue fines restrict
access and exacerbate inequality by disproportionately
affecting low-income and racial-minority communities,
as
Don't Know create conflict between patrons and the library, require an
Increased e� o�� ghat 94 fines-
inefficient use of staff time, and do not consistently ensure
'RasSCURCEt,jRNE3-0 FEES SURVEY 2022 borrowed materials end up back on library shelves." Many
other respondents agreed.
President and CEO Tonya Aikens explained that Howard County Library System (HCLS), MD,
found the decision to be both practical and in accordance with the library's philosophy. The lack
of late fees "removes a barrier to access," she wrote. "Being fine-free is in keeping with HCLS's
commitment to equity and inclusion, and it positions us to more fully live our mission of providing
high quality public education for all Howard County residents. At any given time, seven percent
of customers have their accounts blocked due to overdue fines. Full access has a dividend for
Howard County—we all benefit from a curious and engaged community."
Libraries' consideration of communities' needs was often a factor. "We originally stopped
charging fines because of COVID," wrote Tami Cox, assistant director of East Moline Public
Library, IL. "Our mission is to serve our patrons and some of them cannot afford to pay a $10
fine. That is literally a dinner for their family, and why would we want someone to have to pick
between food and a library fine?" Casandria Crane, director of American Fork Library, UT,
commented, "We realized the poorest in our community were paying the most."
COLLECTING FEES
1s
1-�All fee-collecting libraries accept cash payments. Personal checks and money orde 07/22/2024 Item WS.................................. WS
accepted at 88 percent of libraries, a sizable majority but still down from 2017's 96 percent.
Conversely, the percentage of libraries that accept credit and debit card payment for fines has
increased from 59 to nearly three quarters, at 73 percent. Four percent of libraries take digital
payment methods through apps such as Paypal, Venmo, and Apple Pay.
Most (92 percent) libraries' circulation staff notify and remind patrons about owed fines. Four-
fifths (82 percent) inform patrons on their online accounts, and two-thirds (64 percent) use
email. Other methods include paper mail (54 percent), phone calls (41 percent), texts (37
percent), printed messages on checkout slips (31 percent), and mobile apps (17 percent).
Ninety-one percent of libraries train staff to communicate with patrons about fines owed and the
concept of shared resources.
Ninety-six percent of libraries charging late fees suspend patrons' borrowing privileges after they
have reached a specific amount of outstanding fees, at an average of $11 . When fines remain
outstanding too long, about a third (31 percent) contact collection agencies. This is significantly
fewer than 2017's 44 percent. The average fine threshold that prompts libraries to refer to a
collection agency is $39. Nine percent of respondents' libraries have pursued legal action for
unpaid fines, 70 percent have not, and 21 percent were unsure.
Among the 78 percent of libraries that charge fees for services, the most common are for
printing (95 percent), copying (94 percent), and faxing (61 percent). About half charge
processing fees for replacement of lost and damaged items (53 percent), library card
replacement (52 percent), and cards for nonresidents (48 percent). Most (81 percent) do not
charge for participation in programs and events. The median monthly revenue from service fees
is $250, 38 percent lower than the median in 2017 ($400).
PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED
2017 2022
Cash 100% 100%
Check or money order 96% 88%
Credit/Debit card 59% 73%
Digital payments (e.g. PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay) n/a 4%
SOURCE: U FINES&FEES SURVEY 2017, 2022
14
1 0712212024 Item WS1.
LATE RETURNS
PERCENT OF LIBRARIES
COLLECTING FINES AND FEES At libraries that charge fines, it is estimated
that 12.9 percent of all borrowed items are
100 . ................... returned late, down from 201 7's 14.9
90 ................... percent, which may have to do with the
so introduction of automatic renewals. Some 60
70
F percent of responding libraries automatically
60 renew borrowed items. The survey did not ask
50
aM
respondents at libraries that do not charge
17 40 . ..........
fines what percent of borrowed materials are
20 returned late or how late those items are.
10
Although there are fewer late returns at fine
0
charging libraries than in 2017, overdue items
Collect overdue fines Collect service fees remain out longer. In 2017, 88 percent
SWAM-Ld PNES&PUS strwEy 2017.2022
1 estimated that the average overdue book is
returned to the library within one week of the due date. In 2022, this percentage fell to 69
percent. The lateness tends be shorter at libraries that automatically renew items.
SHRINKING FINE REVENUE
Most libraries that still charge late fees do so out of necessity. One respondent in Pennsylvania
explained, "We need the money as It is built into our budget. Even without the money we receive
for fines, we are responsible for raising $25,000 per year in fundraising activities just to balance
our budget." Similarly, according to a New Jersey respondent, "We still rely on fines to support
our operating budget. Until we can replace the revenue with another source, we're not in a
position to get rid of them entirely."
Libraries that collect fines are earning less revenue from them in 2022 than in 2017. The
monthly median fell dramatically from $500 to $200. Fifty-seven percent of respondents
answered that fine revenue has decreased since 2019, citing various reasons. Half (51 percent)
of the respondents blame decreased circulation and COVID for the decrease, 39 percent cite
more digital checkouts, and 28 percent say it is the result of instituting automatic renewals. A
quarter also changed their fine structure, such as eliminating fines for children's materials.
Fl-51
2/2024 Item WS1.
Fee-collecting libraries disperse these funds in various ways. Nearly two-thirds (64 07/2
..12
place funds in a general library fund; 22 percent allocate the funds to a general municipality or
county fund. Only 10 percent earmark the funds for library materials, and half as many use these
funds for programming.
COST OF COLLECTION MEDIAN DOLLARS COLLECTED PER MONTH*
When deciding whether or not to go fine-free, main= FEM
M;042
the cost-effectiveness of collecting
, 500 ., �o . .F...,. .. .,,.. �., ,o�„ x„ .,a. .. , .�,�.m.............,.
outstanding fines is a consideration for some. 450
Libraries estimate that they spend an average 400 N,
of $198 per month collecting fines in staff
time, collection fees, etc.—seven percent of 300 � ��. .. ...,o-.a..,.,.. �� ��... ........
250 , .._,... ,.rt.,. ..w. .v.. .. m
the average monthly fine income ($3,001). � u 200 4
Library Manager SueAnn Burkhardt explained 150
the process of how Luther Callaway Public
� 100
1
Library, FL, approached the question: "A 5a ,
study was done by the library taking into o
consideration the staff hours spent on Fines collected Fees collected
Based on 4YXaries that charge fines arWor fees,
notifying patrons of overdue items, collecting SOURCE:Lt FINES&FEES SURVEY2017,2W2
overdue fines, reports and delivery to finance
department. It was found to be a loss for the library, not worth the time spent." However, she
added, "We were told specifically, by the county, to continue collecting fines regardless of costs
incurred by the library."
County Librarian Todd Deck said that Tehama County Library, CA, determined that stopping late
fees saves the library money and benefits both staff and patrons. "It isn't financially responsible,"
he wrote about collecting fines. "Last year, the library collected $6,000 from overdue fines. This
represents less than 1 .9 percent of the library's overall annual operating budget. We estimate
that going fine-free would result in a reduction of staff time to collect and process overdue fines;
it will also encourage the return of library materials, so many items will not have to be
repurchased. Once implemented at the Tehama County Library, a fine-free program is estimated
to save $7,280 annually." (He also noted that it promotes the health and safety of patrons and
staff by cutting down on physical transactions during the ongoing pandemic.)
FINE ALTERNATIVES
16
024 Item WS1-�
Of libraries that collect fines, 82 percent—up from 61 percent in 2017—offer ways 07/22/2
.......12
to clear their fines without paying money. Sixty-nine percent have waived fines for various
reasons. Thirty-six percent allow people to donate food to charity drives in lieu of payment. Other
methods include fine amnesty periods (31 percent), volunteering in exchange for fines (9
percent), and donations of materials to the library (5 percent). Five percent allow children and
teens to "read down their fines."
About two-thirds (68 percent) have considered eliminating fines altogether, twice the number
that were considering going fine-free in 2017. By comparison, only two percent of those not
charging fines are considering adding them. Respondents listed several reasons why their
libraries still charge fines besides financial dependence on them. Some cited a belief that
patrons must be held accountable for lateness, and that without consequences nothing would
stop people from returning materials late or simply keeping them. Others said that even when
directors and staff favored eliminating some or all fees, municipal officials and library boards do
not support this course of action.
COMPELLING ARGUMENTS
While some directors and staff members received
Of libraries that collect fines, enthusiastic support from their boards or local government
82°fo offer ways for patrons pP
to clear their fines without for dropping late fees, others found challenges to getting
paying money consensus from stakeholders. "Emotionally and morally
almost everyone was in favor of it," recalled Jessica
Paulsen, patron experience manager at Jefferson County Public Library, CO. "Practically,
especially financially, was harder for some people to reconcile."
Yolo County, CA, used a test case to convince stakeholders. "We went fine-free for youth first
and monitored the results," explained Director Mark Fink. "The data demonstrated an increase in
new cardholders, and existing cardholders using the library more, and there was not a
substantial increase in lost/missing items. This data made consensus easy after it was
presented." Clintonville Public Library, WI, also met success with a similar approach.
In some cases, the success of other libraries' abolishment of overdue fees managed to convince
stakeholders, as did the success of automatic renewals.
Advocates used a combination of hard data and anecdotal evidence about the virtues of
dropping late fines. Meg Lojek, director of McCall Public Library, ID, wrote, "Honestly, one of the
biggest arguments in our favor was that, during COVID we stopped charging fines due to
wanting people to stay home and stay safe. Then we were able to show the limited impact on
our budget and no impact on people getting materials back to the library. Emotionally, it is easy
to tell the stories about families who don't 1
0712212024Item WS1.
Fine receipts are less than 0.4 percent
want to borrow books because of the fines of our county library's annual budget. It was
and to show that it is an equity issue— and is such an insignificant amount in library
revenue, yet patrons who had fines potentially
perhaps those who could benefit from the stopped visiting the library altogether.
library the most are the same people who fear My advice: ask yourself, would you rather collect
0.4 percent profit or let a child take books
they will have to pay fines." home to read with (the adults in their lives],
increase literacy rates in your county,
This point was illustrated by Deck's comment: and ultimately change the way your community
"Lots of data was helpful. But the single most approaches library use (for the good)?
..Ch711�EA, µll,;ilti�a, N'PiIV4v I aT1'i.il ��12,11'u1'V"i f,rJ4^�(tiS�:' ftlozJGlNuI�R'�"a PAC"h
impactful tool was reading a letter from an
eight-year-old asking for forgiveness for
having late library books."
The late fee discussion for Delaware County District Library, OH, also looked at a personal
request, wrote Director George Needham. "This was all it took to seal the deal: One letter from a
woman who couldn't pay a small fine she owed, but offered to work off her fine so that her kids
could have access to the collection. I had the numbers for what we would be giving up, but the
letter was the emotional impact that pushed the discussion over."
Alicia Blake, assistant branch manager at Worcester County Public Library, MD, offered advice
for libraries considering eliminating overdue fees: "Fine receipts are less than 0.4 percent of our
county library's annual budget. It was and is such an insignificant amount in library revenue, yet
patrons who had fines potentially stopped visiting the library altogether. My advice: ask yourself,
Would you rather collect 0.4 percent profit or let a child take books home to read with [the
adults in their lives], increase literacy rates in your county, and ultimately change the way your
community approaches library use (for the good)?"
As libraries continue to gather data, public input, and successful examples from their peers—
particularly as the coming years let them judge the evidence on its own merits, rather than as a
response to pandemic shutdowns—they will be better able to evaluate their approach to
collecting fines and fees. It will be interesting to see what U's 2027 survey reveals.
METHOCOLO% "
The Fines and Fees survey was emailed to a random list of U.S. public library employees on May
261 2022, with a reminder on June 16. The survey closed on July 1 , with 320 U.S. public library
responses. Data reported in total was weighted by library size to match the weights used in the
2017 Fines and Fees survey.
The complete 2022 Fines and Fees survey can be downloaded here.
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As a motivator to return items on time.
Patrons think the library is getting those funds, therefore they are
supporting the library.
WINE ON
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• Fines affect families and economically disadvantaged patrons most.
• Instead of encouraging them to return the items, those late items do not
come back at all for fear of f ines.
• Reduced use of the library because of fines on accounts. 20�
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• Staff time/stress
• Lost items
• Inferior customer service creating a combative atmosphere
• Lessens library use
• Loss in materials
.........
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Addlis,on Dallas, Grapevine R'1"chardsl,on
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Bedford Du�incancville Kel1er Royce City
Benbrook Eufess, Kennedale� Sachse
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Carroll1ton F ore st Hill I McKinney Sanger
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F22]
0712212024
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Going fine free would mean eliminating late fees. This would not affect
damaged or lost item fees. If there'Ps a barcode or spine label missing, then a
patron would be charged a replacement fee for those components.
The only thing they would not be charged for is returning items past the due
date. They would not be allowed to borrow any other items until all the past due
items have been returned. This is commonly referred to as the agold Netflix
model'" when you had to mail back a DVD before obtaining the next one.
F 2
123 OF 0712212024 Item WS1.
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Amounts Tenrdered
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 - 3 quarters
Printing (3,13 & Paper) $61015.41 $6,1774.09 $61712.16 $81532.78 $61313.47
065.60 $1 275.01 $1254.30 $988.79
Circulation Fees (Card replacement, processing) $912.21 $11
Damaged & Lost Items $61440.42 $817,44.50 $81563.41 $101141 .95 $71271 .93
Meeting Room Rentals $625.00 $922.50 $165.00 $11455.00 $930.00
Overdue items $201673.02 $171808.78 $141863.40 $151 Ir 52.38 $121536.80
Overall Totals: 1 $34,1666.061 $351315.471 $311578.981 $361536.411 $28,10,40.991
993.04 $17506.69 $16715.58 $21 384.03 $15 504.19
All fines and' fees except Overdue Items $131 1 1 1 1
Overdue items $201673.02 $171808.78 $141863.40 $15,1152.38 $12,1536.80
The City takes in on average $4 million dollars in fees across all departments. Using
an average of the overall totals for library fees, the total contributed by the library
would equal .875%. Overdue items alone equal only .4265% of total City fees.
F24]
0712212024 Item WS1.
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• An ammendment to the City Ordinance would be required to
* 0
eliminate late fines. This would have to be presented to City
Council and would require their approval.
0 0 0
• Begin by doing a period of amnesty to encourage people to bring
0 0 10
their items back with no penalties prior to the policy change.
• Set a date and eliminate fines beginning with that date.
..........
..............
0712212024
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• Any questions over what was presented?
• What otherinfo would you like to see?
• Are there any issues that you say that have not been brought up?
F26]
0712212024 Item
Monthly Report for the Library Advisory Board
(Based on Weekly Reports sent to City Manager's office every Thursday)
June 20-July 17 May 23-June 19 Apr 18 - May 22
Storytime 1,088 751 474
Kid Events 1,437 3,244 296
Teen Events 101 45 23
Adult Events 86 262 77
Outreach 47 200 230
Business Exchange 141 115 179
Circulation 50,723 56,573 56,353
Visitors 21,329 22,742 17,984
New Borrowers 664 875 493
Drive-Thru 278 256 3
Holds Processed 5,711 5,7671 6,034
Ancestry Sessions Searches
Apr2024 37 722
May 2024 25 293
Jun 2024 12 337
Creativebug Sessions Total Video Views Hours Viewed
Apr2024 4 0 0
May 2024 6 10 0.37
Jun 2024 6 25 1.27
Data Axle Log-ins #of Searches Total Records Downloaded
Apr2024 22 70 1,755
May 2024 15 44 1,155
Jun 2024 23 153 6,435
Gale Courses Enrollments Total Course Log-ins Total Minutes in Class
Apr20241 211 1541 19,389 1
F 27
1 0712212024 Item
May 2024 18 251 32,531
Jun 2024 31 233 24,199
Mango Languages Total Sessions Total Learning Time Average Learning Time
Apr2024 184 18:48:23 0:06:38
May 2024 125 12:09:33 0:05:19
Jun 2024 107 14:17:49 0:07:31
Udemy Active Users Courses Enrolled Video Mins
Apr2024 67 163 15,594.8
May 2024 60 135 9,641.3
Jun 2024
Library App Devices Launches New Devices
Apr2024 729 4,180 119
May 2024 771 4,293 126
Jun 2024, 8591 4,817 1 1761
Digital Resources Usage.
(Presented by calendar month)
Libby (Overdrive)
Totals for
Consortium June 2024 May 2024 April 2024
17,006 16,633 16,304
Unique Users SPI - 1,929 SPL - 1,865 SPL - 1,829
65,250 65,116 63,795
Check-Outs SPL -7,075 SPL - 7,049 SPL - 7,201
Holds 32,098 30,102 29,854
Purchases 818 484 647
F 28
0712212024 Item
Hoopla
Circulation
Counts by
Month:
Audio Binge Comics Ebooks Movies Music TV Total
April 2024 1,147 15 145 461 109 39 68 1,984
May 2024 1,117 25 194 495 166 51 95 2,143
June 2024 1 1,021 1 31 1 95 1 442 1 136 1 62 1 63 1 1,85001
Kanopy
Stats Visits Pages Plays Minutes
April 2024 3,115 3,841 611 14,537
May 2024 3,312 3,950 508 12,317
June 2024 2,9701 3,5851 3431 8,0471
Kanopy
Plays by Device Tablet Desktop Mobile Television
April 2024 12.4% 11.1% 51.1% 25.4%
May 2024 15% 22.8% 38% 24.2%
June 20241 23.6%1 9.6%1 42.3%1 24.5%1
Meetings/Training Highlights:
0 6/20/24 Ofilia attended the Rotary Club meeting
0 6/20/24 Ofilia, Lisa and Debbie attended the post Kickoff Review meeting
0 6/21/24 Ofilia and Lisa one on one
0 6/24/24 Ofilia and Xcenia attended the Library Advisory Board meeting
0 6/25/24 Ofilia and Lisa attended the monthly Chamber Luncheon
0 6/25/24 Weekly admin team meeting
0 6/25/24 Ofilia attended the City Council meeting
0 6/26/24 Ofilia attended the Collin County Historical Commission meeting for the grant
presentation to the Wylie Historical Society for the annual downtown ghost tours
0 6/26/24 Ofilia and Debbie one on one
F 29
0712212024 Item
0 6/27/24 Ofilia and Lety one on one
0 6/28/24 Ofilia met with Audrey from Five Loaves
0 7/2/24 Lisa attended Statewide ILL Migration webinar
0 7/9/24 Ofilia and Elizabeth one on one
0 7/9/24 Ofilia attended the City Council meeting
0 7/10/24 Ofilia presented for ICAN + library tour
0 7/16/24 Ofilia attended the director staff meeting
0 7/16/24 Ofilia attended the Friends of the Library meeting
Misc. Information:
a 7/4/24 Library Closed for Independence Day
0 7/12/24 Friends of the Library Annual Book Presale
a 7/13/24 Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale
F 30
0712212024 Item
Upcoming Library Programs -August 2024
Programs for All
Friends of the Library Tee Up for School - Mini Golf Event
Saturday, August 10 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
This event will feature 18 mini golf holes all throughout the library! Families are encouraged to come
and play after hours in the library. Registration on the Friends page at
WylieTexas.Gov/About/Friends. There is a donation requested for admission.
Adults
Booked on Friday
Friday August 9 @ Noon
August is our planning meeting, so no specific book discussion, but planning the list for the
following year.
Third Tuesday Book Club
Tuesday, August 20 @ 1:00pm
Social networking and a good book. Immerse yourself into a good story with friends.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Preschool
Storytime, Kids and Teen Programming are on a break until September 4.
F 31