FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
April 2, 2012
Calvert Library hasn't raised fines in over 20 years, so it seems that the time has come. The main purpose of fines is to encourage customers to return their items so another customer can use them. The library uses the money generated by fine collection as part of the budget for the purchase of books, movies, music, and more.
To help ease the transition to higher fines, Calvert Library will be sending out email notifications 3 days prior to an item's due date so customers can avoid fines altogether by returning or renewing. Marcia Hammett, Branch Manager at Calvert Library Prince Frederick said, “We’ve had signs up for a few weeks telling customers that the change is coming and to ask about it. Many have asked and almost all have received the news positively. One suggested that a grace period might have been nice, another thought we could have done it incrementally but overwhelmingly the response has been something like ‘it’s about time!’ I think people realize that high-demand items will be more readily available if the overdue fines are a little more motivating.” One customer who asked not to be named laughed and said, “We’ve gotten away with murder for so long! It’s been so inexpensive that sometimes I don’t even worry about being late. Maybe I’ll actually renew online now!” Seaona DeGennaro, mother of two and regular library user said, “We check out a LOT of books so it can add up if we’re late but really, the library is such a good cause and I save so much money by not having to buy all these resources, I can’t complain. And really, it’s pretty darn easy to renew. Plus we have limited space at home and already overflowing bookshelves so Calvert Library lets us have a huge collection at our fingertips without overwhelming our home. I’ll be homeschooling next year and I know that I can do it successfully because we have such an excellent library system to support me. If I have to chip in a few extra dollars every now and then, it’s worth it.”
The library will also remind customers via email if their holds have not been picked up after they have been on the hold shelf for five days. This will help ensure that customers get the benefit of the item they requested rather than it being sent back to its home location without having been used.
Circulation Supervisor Patti McConnell said, “If you do not currently receive your library notifications via email and would like to take advantage of this new service, please call your branch. It’s an easy way to avoid fines!” The new fine structure will be effective Thursday, April 12 and you can view the details online at the library website by clicking on About Us, Policies, then Loan Policy. For more information, call 410-535-0291.
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Robyn Truslow
Public Relations Coordinator
Calvert Library
850 Costley Way
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
phone: 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862
fax: 410-535-3022
rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us
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