[Publib] Fines

[Linda Bly]

At the Central Arkansas Library System, not only does the fine money go
directly to the library, but we can even use that money to pledge for
revenue bonds for substantial library enhancements.  
 
Revenue bonds are issued by our city through the Public Facilities
Board--as opposed to capital improvement bonds, which are voted on by
the citizens.  The amount of the revenue bonds that may be issued is
based on non-tax revenues received by the institution.  "Non-tax"
revenues include gifts, copier and printing income, and overdue fines.
Based on our combined income from all non-tax sources, we are currently
able to borrow up to around $2.5 million for capital projects.
 
Ten years ago, when our non-tax income was considerably smaller than it
is now, we used revenue bonds to build the multipurpose room at our new
Main Library.  We had enough  money in the construction bond fund for
the library building itself, but we couldn't build the proposed attached
multipurpose facility.  We discovered revenue bonds and found that we
could float up to $800,000 at that time.  We went back to our architects
and contractor to see what they could design and build for that amount
of money, and we were able to build our Darragh Center Auditorium.
 
The Book Guys from NPR have been coming to Little Rock to record two
shows for several years, and they like to refer to the Darragh Center as
"Procrastination Hall," because it was built with overdue fines!
 
Linda Bly                                       501-918-3035 (phone)
Deputy Director                              501-375-7451 (fax)
Central Arkansas Library System     lindab at cals.org
100 Rock Street                              www.cals.org
<http://www.cals.org/> 
Little Rock, AR  72201
 

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Susan Pieper
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 8:55 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Fines


It's Friday, so why not open this can of worms wider? The discussion of
whether to charge fines or not has been ongoing since I joined this
wonderful profession (over 20 years ago). Here in our rural library
system we have decided the following: we charge fines. And, not only do
we charge, but we charge .25 per day (one day grace). We budget for the
revenue (expect $11,000 this year from fines). We need the income. When
patrons see me and sheepishly admit "my books are late"... I don a big
smile and reply... "I count on it! I budget each year for fine revenues
so just look at your fines as being a way to contribute to the purchase
of more books." They always laugh and most are surprised to hear that we
count on fine revenue. We let patrons "pay" on their fines if they have
accumulated more than $20.00 worth. As long as they are making an
effort, they remain in good standing. Charging fines may or may not
contribute to getting materials back quicker (or at all), but it does
contribute to our operating budget. And, use of the library is higher
than ever! Have a great weekend! 
Susan

-- 
Susan Hill Pieper
Director/Editor
Paulding County Carnegie Library
Rural Library Services Newsletter
205 S. Main Street
Paulding, OH 45879
419-399-2032 (voice) 419-399-2114 (fax) 
www.pauldingcountylibrary.org
susanhillpieper at gmail.com
ALA Councilor-At-Large (2007-2010) 
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