Name: Chicago Public Library says eliminating fines has paid off
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Chicago Public Library says eliminating fines has paid off

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SHAREAfter eliminating overdue fees late last year, Chicago Public Library employees saw something that made everyone smile: a jump in the return of books overdue for six months or more.About 1,650 long-overdue books were returned in each of the five months after fines were eliminated Oct. 1, 2019. Before then, about 900 overdue books were returned each month, according to the library.The library system typically collected between $800,000 and $900,000 a year in late fees. That money is gone, but library official said what’s been gained is more important: valuable books and patrons who might never have returned.About 11,000 library users who had more than $10 in outstanding fees wiped off their records haverenewed or replacedtheirlibrary cards in the past 12 months. Library officials say it’s a significant increase, but couldn’t quantifythe gain.Popular booksHere are the titles most checked out by user of the Chicago Public Library.Adults: “Exit West” by Mohsin HamidTeens and kids: “The Hate U Give” by Angie ThomasMiddle-school readers: “New Kid” by Jerry CraftBeginning readers: “A Big Guy Took My Ball” by Mo Willems“As we see long-lost patrons and materials return to the library, the impact of eliminating overdue fines is clear,” acting Library Commissioner Mary Ellen Messner said. “Chicagoans are connecting to their community libraries and using this resource without anxiety or financial barriers to access.”Readership also got a bump.In the five months after abolishing fines, about 361,000 books were checked out, a 7% increase from a year earlier.Then the pandemic threw a wrench in things, and libraries shut down from March 22 until June 8, when 72 of 81 branches reopened.Since reopening, in-person checkouts have dropped to294,000 per month —a decrease of nearly 19% from last fall.But ebook downloads are up to about 209,000 a month compared with 167,000 a month before the coronavirus struck.Next Up InMost ReadThe LatestThey were in the 7100 block of South State Street when they were struck by gunfire, police said.They were in the 2100 block of West Adams Street when they were shot, police said.Kramer, who survived a suicide attempt in 2015, is the personification of resilience and hope.Plus, a look at cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s shutdown performance, the right guard debate and more.

SHAREAfter eliminating overdue fees late last year, Chicago Public Library employees saw something that made everyone smile: a jump in the return of books overdue for six months or more.About 1,650 long-overdue books were returned in each of the five months after fines were eliminated Oct. 1, 2019. Before then, about 900 overdue books were returned each month, according to the library.The library system typically collected between $800,000 and $900,000 a year in late fees. That money is gone, but library official said what’s been gained is more important: valuable books and patrons who...

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Mitch Dudek

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Chicago Public Library says eliminating fines has paid off

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