HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-81KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-81
Sponsored by: Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AMENDING ITS
COMPREHENSIVE SCHEDULE OF RATES, CHARGES, AND FEES TO ELIMINATE KENAI
COMMUNITY LIBRARY LATE FEES.
WHEREAS, libraries across the country have eliminated late fees to remove barriers to access of
library materials and services; and,
WHEREAS, there is a growing body of evidence that eliminating late fees increases library usage
and customer satisfaction, improves public relations and staff morale, and reduces staff workload;
and,
WHEREAS, recent studies suggest that late fees have no significant impact on the timely return
of library materials; and,
WHEREAS, total revenue collected for library late fees is relatively insignificant with the five-year
average for late fees collected being $8,821 and the most recent fiscal year, FY2020, being
$4,561; and,
WHEREAS, late fees ultimately do not serve the core mission of the modern library to foster early
literacy, provide equitable services and barrier -free access to information and services, and
should therefore is eliminated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA:
Section 1. The Library Fees section of the City's Comprehensive Schedule of Rates,
Charges and Fees be amended as follows:
LIBRARY FEES
APX - Library Regulations and Policies
[1. LATE FEES
A. -BOOKS PER DAY
$0.10
B. -VIDEOS, DVDS, NON -BOOK MATERIAL PER DAY
$1.00
-CASSETTE PLAYERS, SCREENS, PROJECTORS PER
C. DAY
$3.00]
1[2]. Service Charges (The cost for replacement of books and
other materials that are lost or damaged beyond repair
shall be the actual cost of replacement or the following
schedule will be used when actual replacement cost is
unavailable.)
a. -hardcover books
$25.00
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Resolution No. 2020-81
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b.
-juvenile reference
$35.00
C.
-musiccd's
$25.00
d.
-periodicals
$5.00
e.
-CD-ROMS
$40.00
f.
-Alaska government documents
$45.00
g.
-audio books
$20.00
h.
-videos and DVDs
$25.00
i.
-ILL books (fee or actual cost charged by lender
$25.00
j.
-adult reference
$45.00
k.
-juvenile kits
$20.00
I.
-microfilm reels or microfiche
$35.00
M.
-paperback books
$15.00
n.
-fishing rods and reels
$59.00
o.
-MP3 players and FM transmitters
$100.00
2[3].
Rebinding Fees
a.
-actual cost of rebinding + 5.00 handling fee
3[4].
Proctoring Tests
$20.00
4[5].
Replacement Costs
a.
-barcode
$1.00
b.
-lost library card
$1.00
C.
-lost hang up bags, audio/visual or cassette containers
$3.00
5[6].
Damages
a.
-defaced or torn pages per page
$2.00
6[7].
Photocopying and Printing
a.
Photocopying (per page)
$0.25
b.
Printing from public computers (per page)
$0.25
7[8].
Equipment check out (per day)
$3.00
a.
- security deposit (credit card only)
$50.00
8[9].
Postage Fee
a.
- shipping cost per item ordered and not picked up
$2.00
Section 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 2111 day of October, 2020.
ATTEST:
Heinz, CMC, City
BRIAN GABRIEL SR., MAYOR
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KENAI
_ _, _.. ,enai 1210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 wwwkenai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor Gabriel and Council Members
THROUGH:
Paul Ostrander, City Manager
FROM:
Katja Wolfe, Library Director
DATE:
October 7, 2020
SUBJECT:
Resolution No. 2020-81 - Elimination of Late Fees at the Kenai
Community Library
In 2019, the American Library Association passed a resolution which urges libraries "to scrutinize
their practices of imposing fines on library patrons and actively move towards eliminating them"
as the "imposition of monetary library fines creates a barrier to the provision of library and
information services."' In line with this recommendation, it is proposed that the Kenai Community
Library eliminate late fees as a way to make our services and resources more accessible to
everyone in our community. This proposal targets late fees, specifically, and does not propose to
eliminate fees assessed on lost and damaged items.
In Alaska and around the country, libraries have eliminated late fees for a variety of reasons:
• Increase patron access to materials and services: Late fees act as a barrier to access.
They can lead to the suspension of library privileges and keep those community members
who need the library the most from using its resources. In contrast, the elimination of late
fees in other libraries has led to increases in new library card applications, visitors, and
circulation .2
• Reduce the inequitable impact of late fees: Many library users face late fees, but not
all can afford to pay them off. Approximately 13.5% of Kenai residents' and 12.4% of
' American Library Association. (2019). Resolution on monetary library fines as a form of social inequity.
http://www.ala.org/aboutalatsites/ala.org.aboutala/files/ContentlgovemancetwunciVcouneil_documents/2019_ms_muncil_docs/ALA
%20CD%2038%20RESOLUTION %200N%20MONETARY%20LIBRARY%20FINES%20AS%20A"/"20FORM"/"20OF"/"20SOCIAL"/o
20J USTICE%20Revised%201_27_0. pdf
Y San Francisco Public Library. (2019). Long overdue: Eliminating fines on overdue materials to improve access to San Francisco
Public Library. https://sftreasurer.org/sitesidefault/files/2019.09/Long%200verdue_January%2O2019.pdf
3 United States Census Bureau. (n. d.). QuickFacts: Kenai city, Alaska.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/facVtable/kenaicityalaska,gatewaycdpalaska,kenaipeninsulaboroughalaska/PST045219
Kenai Peninsula Borough residents° live in poverty. Almost 42% of Kenai Peninsula
School District students qualified for free or reduced price lunches in school year 2019-
20205. Individuals and families with low or no incomes are disproportionally affected by
late fees.
Improve patron relationship with the library: The existence of late fees is one of the
most negative aspects of our patrons' relationship with the library. Libraries that have
eliminated late fees are experiencing a reduction in staff anxiety and patron conflicts, as
well as an increase in patron satisfaction and an improvement in patron perception of the
library.
Optimize library staff time and increase efficiency: Collecting late fees is time-
consuming and diminishes library staffs ability to engage with patrons in other library
services such as reference, programming and readers' advisory. Eliminating late fees will
allow staff to build relationships with patrons and to better fill their information needs.
Research shows that late fees do not bring materials back faster (or at all): Late fees
are not the best motivator for returning material on time. On the contrary, they keep many
of our patrons from returning to the library out of shame or embarrassment. Most libraries
that have eliminated late fees have not experienced an increase in overdue items. In fact,
some libraries have seen an increase in long -overdue item returns and a decrease in late
returns.
In summary, fine free access to library resources strengthens our community. Fine free libraries
are more accessible, equitable, and welcoming to all. Libraries that have gone fine free have seen
an increase in library card registrations, borrowing of materials, and customer satisfaction, as well
as an improvement in staff morale. Based on the growing body of evidence showing the benefits
of eliminating late fees, I recommend that the Kenai Community Library cease charging such fees
for all materials owned by our library.
Thank you for your consideration.
< United States Census Bureau. (n. d.). QuickFacts: Kenai Peninsula Borough, Naska.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/kenaip,eninsulaboroughalaska
' State of Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (2020). School nutrition programs.
https://education.alaska.gov/mp/nslp
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� The City of Kenai I www.kenaixity
FRIENDS OF THE KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY
P.O. BOX 656
KENAI, AK 99611
September 24, 2020
Katja Wolfe, Director
Kenai Community Library
163 Main Street Loop
Kenai, AK 99611
Re: No Late Fee Policy
Dear Ms. Wolfe:
The Friends of the Kenai Community Library agree with the No Late Fee policy
the library plans to institute. Besides being a positive move for the community, it
will bring the Kenai Community Library into line with the other libraries on the
peninsula and in the state.
Late fees have become obsolete in this age of electronic access and another reason
not to use the library. The current economic climate determines where every penny
is spent for many households. Eliminating the fines will encourage patrons to
continue their visits without the fear of late fees hanging over their heads if they
can't return on time.
Kenai Community Library has always been at the forefront of modem library
trends. Eliminating late fees is a social and economic step well -taken.
Sincerely,
Jane E. Fuerstenau
President
Friends of the Kenai Community Library