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Libraries Try Raising Book Fines Amid Cuts

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By JENNIFER HOWELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 10, 2007

People who check out a book from a Pasco County library have a new incentive to return it on time. Last month, the Pasco County Library System raised overdue fees from 15 cents to 25 cents each day an item is late.

Libraries director Linda Allen said she and library management increased the fees to recover costs associated with overdue items.

For example, the library system sends overdue notices to the borrower three days before an item is due, 14 days after it is due and seven days after that. Allen said the library system also pays staff to collect and process overdue fees each day.

"There is a lot of paperwork involved," she said. "We're making a budget-neutral situation so we're not paying to take care of this activity."

Allen said she would like to see people return borrowed items on time so other librarygoers can check them out, especially because cuts in the county budget have limited the purchase of new books and other items.

"We are buying less materials because we don't have as much money in the materials budget," she said. "Hopefully we will see the materials return on time. We would be thrilled to never have to collect this fee."

Pasco County commissioners approved the decision to raise the fees, and the increase took effect Nov. 5. The libraries posted signs to let librarygoers know of the change.

The library system has no data to indicate whether the fee increase has affected the amount of overdue items.

Dotty Chandler, manager for New River Branch Library in Wesley Chapel, hasn't noticed a decrease in overdue items, but she says it could take time.

"I have noticed a surprise when you tell them what the fees are," she said. "Maybe after this initial surprise they'll get better about returning items."

Melati Minter of Wesley Chapel says the new fees have changed her habits.

"There was one book I didn't realize was overdue. It was a book my husband was reading. I told him, 'You better hurry up.' I check online more often now to see if something is going to be due."

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