Community Corner
Westwood, You've Been Pardoned! Mayor Abolishes Library Late Fee
The Los Angeles Public Library is now the largest library network in the nation to forgive and eliminate the late fees.
LOS ANGELES, CA — You are officially pardoned, you Los Angeles library scofflaws. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday a new policy abolishing library late fees, which disproportionately affect people with low incomes.
The move, which aims to encourage library usage, makes the Los Angeles Public Library the largest library network in the nation to forgive the late fees, according to the mayor's office. People with existing debts for late fees will see their debts wiped out. Fees for damaged materials will still be collected.
"Our library is a civic and cultural treasure, and everyone in the city should be able to share in the wealth of information, enrichment and entertainment in our collection," Garcetti said. "We are ending these fines because patrons show care and integrity in the handling of these precious materials, and nothing should stand in the way of Angelenos who want to share in all the library has to offer."
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According to the mayor's office, fines for overdue materials have disproportionately affected families and individuals with limited resources. The intent of the pardon is to encourage library use, and the library expects an increase the number of library card-holders.
The action eliminates the $10 non- refundable service fine for lost items. However, library patrons will still be responsible for paying for any damaged materials.
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The changes are not expected to affect LAPL's budget, Garcetti said, as revenue from fines has steadily decreased over the past six years and accounts for less than 1% of the library's operating budget.
The Board of Library Commissioners recently voted unanimously to enact the policy.
"At the Los Angeles Public Library, we are proud to serve the largest, most diverse population of any library in the nation," City Librarian John Szabo said. "By removing barriers and going fine-free, we will be better able to serve everyone in Los Angeles."
City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.
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