RPL Officially a Fine Free Library System

As of 12:01 a.m. on May 25, RPL has eliminated overdue fines.

RPL is joining public libraries across the state and nation who have chosen to eliminate library fines. “While the rationale for imposing overdue fines, which is to ensure or encourage the timely return of materials so others may use them, may seem logical, it is not reality,” said Library Director Melissa Oleen in her presentation to the Library Board of Trustees. “North Carolina public libraries that have gone fine free in the last year report increases in circulation, book returns, long-lost book returns, library visits, and check-outs. Even the number of materials designated as ‘lost’ has decreased as return rates improve.”

As a director of a Rowan County department, Oleen looks for ways the library can yield the highest rate of return and best use resources provided through county funding. “Loaning physical materials is still one of the most sought-after services we offer. Going fine free is a significant way to maximize the use of circulating collections,” she said.

Under the previous policy, a customer could be prevented from checking out items based on overdue fines owed on already returned items. These fines seem especially punitive for many juvenile users (ages 17 and under) as the fines may follow them into adulthood and bar them from checking out materials for years. Often, adults who cannot check out materials simply do not visit the library. 

In these ways, overdue fines create an economic barrier impacting library use. Statistics show that overdue fines disproportionately affect low-income adults and families, seniors, at-risk teens, teen parents, and adults with low literacy skills. It is not uncommon for Rowan families on a tight budget to make the decision to not sign children up for library cards or refuse to participate in library programs that involve the check-out of materials in order to avoid the risk of incurring the expense of overdue fines.

While the notion of a library without overdue fines may be surprising to some, RPL’s digital library has always been fine free, with digital materials automatically returning themselves when the borrowing period ends. As of 12:01 a.m. on May 25, both RPL’s digital and circulating physical collections will now have matching, fine free policies. 

The policy is not retroactive, and overdue fines accrued prior to May 25 are still owed if the materials have not yet been returned. The library recognizes that returning materials late is often due to circumstances beyond account holders’ control, such as home displacement, fire and water damage, or extended hospital stays. 

A new procedure for requesting existing fines and fees be waived has been formalized. Waiver decisions will be made timely, consistently, and equitably, using the same criteria for each request. Borrowers interested in this option are encouraged to ask for a Fine/Fee Waiver Request Form at any RPL branch. These forms can also be found online at here..

To learn more about Rowan Public Library, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.

Join in on a Puzzle Pandemonium

Put your jigsaw puzzling skills to the ultimate test in this puzzle-constructing competition! Register a group of 2-4 puzzlers to race against  other teams for the title of Ultimate Puzzle Champions!

Teams will have one hour to assemble as much of a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle as they can. The team who completes the puzzle first (or gets the most pieces assembled within the one hour time limit) takes home the title of Ultimate Puzzle Champs and wins a prize. 

One competition will be held per RPL location:
Tuesday, June 6 at 6 pm — RPL Headquarters
Tuesday, June 13 at 6 pm — RPL East
Tuesday, June 20 at 6 pm — RPL South
Tuesday, June 27 at 6 pm — RPL West

Teams must be registered to compete; spots for teams are limited at each RPL location. To learn more or get your team officially registered, contact Sydney at Sydney.Smith@rowancountync.gov or 704-216-7841.

Lyndsey Maloney, West Branch Supervisor & Adult Services Supervisor

I recently finished reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry.  In the story, a woman named Hazel works in a rare book shop and comes across pages of writing and one-of-a-kind illustrations from a fairytale all too familiar to her—a fairytale world she created for her sister, Flora, in their childhood during World War II. The only problem: she has never told anyone but her sister about this world and her sister has been missing—even presumed dead—for the last twenty years. That one parcel changes her world forever as she tries to discover what happened to Flora all those years ago. 

I love Patti Callahan Henry’s writing and storytelling. She puts the reader into an amazing world of characters. Henry has a way to make you feel all the characters' highs and their lows. This book had me flipping the pages, trying to find out if Hazel would ever determine what happened to her sister. The story does have a historical fiction flair because it takes place during the London Blitz, and the children are sent to the English countryside for their own protection. If you want a wonderful story with a little history included, then this book is for you. 

Daizee Paxton, Library Associate

I recently finished reading The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher. In the story, main character Madeline Hathaway plans to spend time reminiscing and grieving the loss of her mother at her favorite renaissance festival. However, when she gets there everything about the event seems different, including the new owners of the festival. After meeting their son, the bard Arthur, her plans go askew, leading to much more fun than she ever expected. If you're a fan of renaissance festivals and nerdy romance, this book is for you!