Dayton Metro Library eliminating late fees starting in 2018

Other facilities that have made change have seen circulation boost.

Dayton Metro Library is eliminating late fees for overdue materials starting in the New Year, a move that some library patrons said makes sense to them and a decision library officials said mirrors what others are doing.

“This is a trend around the country, so most of our regular patrons expected it,” said Diane Farrell, director of external relations for Dayton Metro Library.

Library patron Heather Miller said she never had a problem with late fees, but she knows many who are probably glad about the elimination.

“I understand why they did it. It makes a lot of sense,” Miller said. Duante Beddingfield agreed. “I think it’s a cool idea. More people will come to the library,” Beddingfield said. “Librarians should be out on the floor helping people, not bookkeeping and counting money.”

Borrowed materials will still have due dates, but the library will no longer be charging a perday late fee.

Other libraries that have done away with late fees have seen an increase in circulation, Farrell said. She gave an example of the Stark County District Library, which saw an increase in circulation of 11 percent after eliminat- ing late fines.

After the New Year, library patrons will be billed for the cost of replacing items if they are not returned within three weeks of the due date. They will also be required to pay a collection fee of $10 for materials that are 35 or more days late.

This fee applies to all items not returned, not $10 per late item.

Library users will not be allowed to check out materials when they have $10 or more charges on their account or 10 or more items over- due.

“I’m excited to see how our patrons react to the change,” Farrell said.

This is the first time in the library’s history it will not be charging late fees. Even in 1803 the library had a three cents per week fee.

When the elimination of late fees was announced earlier this month, officials said it cost the library dollars to chase pennies, wasting time and money for the system.