https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/04/30/library-card-no-late-fees/
"In October 2021, the city’s libraries abolished fines on overdue materials and
predicted it would unlock hundreds of thousands of people who had their cards
blocked.
The result two-and-a-half years later has been a resounding success with a
spike in materials taken out, library cards issued, and program attendance,
according to officials in charge of New York City’s three library systems.
“We’ve found that fines didn’t incentivize returns, but were keeping out the
people who most needed our free services, programming and access to knowledge,”
a joint statement from all systems said.
The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is seeing at least 25% more new card
applications a year, according to BPL spokesperson Fritzi Bodenheimer.
The New York Public Library — which covers Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten
Island — has experienced a similar boost in new cards and circulation of branch
materials has increased by over two million from fiscal year 2022 to 2023, said
NYPL spokesperson Amy Geduldig.
At the Queens Public Library, new card registrations have surpassed
pre-pandemic figures by up to 31% some months and the number of in-person
visits have jumped by 47% since fines were abolished, according to QPL
spokesperson Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska."
Via
Reasons to be Cheerful:
<
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-reading-fine-free-libraries-new-california-park/>
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*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
