Thousands can use their KC library cards again as $250,000 in fines are forgiven
If an overdue fine is keeping you from visiting a Kansas City library, there’s good news — you won’t have to pay it.
The Kansas City Public Library forgave $250,000 in overdue fines and will no longer charge late fees on any materials starting Monday, July 1.
The changes were announced Friday at the library’s southeast branch at 6242 Swope Parkway.
Mayor-elect Quinton Lucas said the decision was about access.
“The amazing thing about fines with library books — because I don’t know if I have any in adulthood, but I might have had some youthful indiscretions — what I remember is it was this sort of thing where you learn about impediments to your opportunity do things in life,” Lucas said. “And I’m so proud today of our library for getting rid of one of those.”
About 9,000 patrons with suspended library cards will regain access to library resources.
Crosby Kemper III, director of the Kansas City Public Library, said the fee change will increase children’s use of the library.
“Fines, in particular for low-income families, are a barrier to using the library and we want to remove that barrier,” he said.
More than 450 libraries in the U.S. have done away with fines, but Kemper said the Kansas City Public Library is the first major library in the region to do so.
Late fees over the past four years totaled about $250,000 with the library collecting about $70,000 in overdue fees last year. That’s a small part of the library’s operating budget, Kemper said, adding that doing away with fines will free up a substantial amount of time for staff.
Library spokeswoman Talia Evans said the library isn’t concerned that people won’t return books.
Items will continue to have due dates. If checked out materials aren’t returned within 14 days after the due date, they will be considered lost. Lost and damaged items will still accrue fees, though that fee has been reduced from $30 for most items to $15 for books and $20 for DVDs. If a lost item is returned, the fee will be erased.
Councilwoman Alissia Canady, Turn the Page executive director Mike English and Samara Crawford-Herrera, with Kansas City Public School’s department of engagement, also spoke during the announcement.
Outgoing Mayor Sly James founded the Turn the Page program.
Lucas said he has met with James once since being elected and will meet with him again as the transition in office continues.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet either on staff or programs that we’ll be having, but (Turn the Page) is just the type of program I’d like to see continue,” Lucas said.
This story was originally published June 28, 2019 at 10:30 AM.
