The Springfield Public Library won’t be exacting quite so many fines on its patrons under a new program. Starting in September they’ll auto-renew materials. That means if you check out a book and forget to renew it or return it in time, you’ve got a little more wiggle room.
Library Director Emily David says they’ve noticed a lot of people have blocked cards because of fines. She wants there to be more access to library services. David said the American Library Association put forth a resolution in January.
“It’s called the Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a form of social inequity.” David says, “And just looking at the barrier to access if services that people all over the country have because of fines and fees. And, oftentimes, it’s people who need libraries most that are restricted from using them due to these fines.”
David says the library is also adding 2 remote book drops on the east side of Springfield to make it easier for people outside of town to return library books.
