ITHACA—Tompkins County Public Library is pleased to announce that beginning January 3, 2018, fines will be eliminated for TCPL owned Children’s Picture Book Fiction, Children’s Oversize Picture Books, Children’s Holiday Picture Books, and Children’s Holiday Fiction.
Studies have found that fines often serve as a barrier to access for patrons, and many libraries are moving to reduce or eliminate them. By not charging fines on segments of the collection TCPL aligns itself with the other five libraries in Tompkins County which have already eliminated fines on children’s picture books.
By eliminating fines for children’s picture books, the Tompkins County Public Library is moving toward the goal of becoming a completely fine-free library. In pursuing this, the Library recognizes that fines disenfranchise lower-income community members who are unable to pay the fines and who would benefit from this otherwise free educational resource.
Featured image: “Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca NY” by Ellen Forsyth is licensed under CC BY 2.0