Submitted by King-of-New-York t3_zhqq68 in nyc
Nouseforaname4 t1_izo460f wrote
they definitely shouldn't have done away with the fines... besides the little bit of money it messes up if you need a book thats out people are just going to take longer to return them if theres no penalty
FreightProgram t1_izo76oo wrote
This is a crock of shit. Statistics overwhelmingly show that removing fines results in more books being returned.
Chicago saw 240% increase in return rate only 3 weeks after removing the fines. https://www.npr.org/2019/11/30/781374759/we-wanted-our-patrons-back-public-libraries-scrap-late-fines-to-alleviate-inequi
NYC saw almost 100k more overdue books and other items returned in a single year. Some overdue by decades. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/nyregion/nyc-library-fines-books-returned.html
Removing fines also increased traffic to the libraries and greatly benefited low income families
Rottimer t1_izo85yr wrote
A lot of people can't wrap their heads around the idea that sometimes punishment and penalties aren't the answer. I find it truly ironic that some of the people that are most ardent about punishment, from late fees to capital punishment, are devout Christians. I never heard of Jesus saying - hey, you go to Hell for a bit to pay for all of your sins before getting into Heaven. Yet, you'd think that with the way punishment is held up as the main corrective for any problem with the human condition among many Christians in the U.S..
Stephreads t1_izo6xwi wrote
But when there is a penalty, they just don’t return it at all.
“The Library Ends Late Fees, and the Treasures Roll In The decision in New York City set off a wave of returns, accompanied by bashful notes of apology and gratitude.”
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