Beginning Monday, November 1st, the Seattle Public Library system – including the Fremont Branch Library – will implement higher fines on overdue materials.
The daily fine for an overdue book, CD, or DVD will raise from 15 cents to 25 cents a day, with a maximum fine leveled per item at $8. The daily fine for an overdue interlibrary loan item will change from 25 cents to $1 per day, with a maximum fee of $15. An overdue reference resource fine will increase from 15 cents a day to $1 a day, with a maximum of $15.
In addition, the charge to print from a Library computer will change from 10 cents to 15 cents per page. All accounts with a balance of $25 will be sent to a collection agency, including accounts held by minors, with a $12 charge added at that time.
Patrons can be signed up to receive e-mail notices from the Library system to remind them several days before books and other items are due. Cardholder can access information about their library materials, and current fines, from the Seattle Public Library (SPL) website, or by calling Borrower Services at 206/386-4190 during operating hours.
According to a press release sent out by the SPL, the new fines and fee schedules encourage timely return of materials but also help offset their budget. SPL leadership has had to implement a total of $3 million in cuts this year through reducing operating hours, staff, book purchases, and a week-long furlough.