Westfield Library Eliminates Late Fees, Improves Access

(November 1, 2021)-Westfield, NJ – Westfield Memorial Library's core mission is to provide equitable access to information, but monetary fines present an economic barrier to access, especially to vulnerable populations including children, seniors, and economically disadvantaged families.

But that is about to change in Westfield. Effective immediately, the Westfield Memorial Library will stop charging overdue fees on Westfield library materials.

"Studies have demonstrated that overdue fees have virtually no impact on the percentage of library materials that are actually returned on time," says Allen McGinley, Library Director. "And the elimination of late fees often leads to an increase in usage of library materials and services. In fact, even modest penalties often deter people from signing up for a library card or using the library, just due to the risk of incurring fines."

In 2019, the American Library Association passed a resolution describing monetary fines as a form of social inequity. And many local libraries in New Jersey have already eliminated overdue fines, including Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, Scotch Plains, Union, and more.

Many large metropolitan libraries throughout the country have also eliminated overdue fines, including cities like Baltimore, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. And recently, all three library systems in New York City - Brooklyn, Queens, and New York Public Libraries - all went fine free.

Westfield Memorial Library has also waived existing overdue fines for current cardholders, in an effort to remove barriers to library service.

The Library Director credits the Westfield Memorial Library Board of Trustees for taking action on this important issue.

“We deliberated over the decision to go fine free for well over a year,” says Michelle Habayeb, President of the Board of Trustees. “In the end, the Board is confident that this decision dovetails with industry standards and will make the Westfield Memorial Library a more welcoming, accessible and equitable resource for everyone in the community.”

The only items which will still incur fines are overdue WiFi hot spots and museum passes.

Currently the hours for the library are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. The library will be closed Thursday, November 11 for Veterans Day.

Learn more about library programs and services for children and adults on the website www.wmlnj.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/wmlnj. Library programs can also be viewed on the library’s You Tube channel, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/westfieldmemoriallib, or by clicking on the You Tube icon on the library's website. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.