SR 01-23-2018 3G
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 23, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.G
1 of 6
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Patty Wong, Director of Library Services, Library Services Department
Subject: Recommendation to Remove Santa Monica Public Library Fines for Youth (0 -
18 years)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council approve the proposed change in Library policy to
remove fines for youth (ages 0 to 18) and eliminate outstanding fines previously
accrued for these cardholders estimated to be $50,300 (inclusive of current Library
records). The removal of fines will ensure access to the wealth of information, learning
and cultural exploration available to them at Santa Monica Public Library with a Library
card, further supporting literacy and success in school from an early age.
Executive Summary
Santa Monica Public Library (Library) ensures access to digital and physical learning
resources for all ages. The Library is often a primary place to build a foundation of early
literacy and learning for our youngest customers. Students rely on Santa Monica Public
Library as a place to study and meet curricular as well as entertainment and
extracurricular needs.
Current active youth (0-18 years) accounts total 7,100. The number of those unable to
use their accounts to access databases, checkout materials, and use the internet due to
overdue fines is 766 for an estimated $12,627 in fines. This means that they have
accrued fines of at least $5.00 and therefore cannot use the Library until after they pay
the fine. This impacts youth’s ability to access and utilize library resources needed for
developing literacy skills, building homework support, and other educational pursuits.
The Library recommends elimination of youth fines going forward and a one -time waiver
of all outstanding fines, which are estimated to be $50,300 (inclusive of cu rrent Library
records) for youth Library accounts. If approved the change will take place with
2 of 6
inception of Fiscal Year 2018-19 and will decrease annual fine revenue by $24,000 –
11% of the revenue received for all fines annually. Outstanding items will still be subject
to fees resulting from lost or damaged items. The Library asks for Council’s support in
this important initiative to overcome the hurdle created by library accounts blocked by
fines for youth to guarantee their success in the future. The Cit y could make no better
investment. The reduction of youth fines has worked successfully in other local
communities such as Altadena, City of Los Angeles (Student Success Card) and most
recently throughout Los Angeles County, thus, encouraging stronger yout h use of library
services.
This effort reflects the City Council’s goal to invest in learning opportunities at all stages
of life through the Learn + Thrive strategic goal as well as ensuring the wellbeing of
youth through learning and their success later in life.
Background
Santa Monica Public Library active youth cardholders number 7,100, with 766 as of this
writing, blocked because they owe $5.00 or more in fines. In this discussion, “fines”
refers to the monetary penalties incurred by returning library materials past their due
date. “Fees” are those penalties resulting from lost or damaged items, along with
associated processing fees. Several studies have indicated that fines are not
prohibitive in the quick return of materials, as youth must rely on various means,
including adults for access to the library. Instead, youth and their adults usually make a
decision not to return and associate the library with a poor experience. This
recommendation is for the elimination of fines only for youth cardholders, regardless of
the material type borrowed.
Current fines by item type – Table 1
Item type Fine per day
Children’s materials 15 cents
Adult/Teen materials 25 cents
DVDs all users $1.00
3 of 6
Discussion
The Library’s mission is to provide resources, services and a place to encourage the
community to read, connect, relax and learn. As a recognized longstanding learning
institution, the Santa Monica Public Library embraces policies and practices that remove
barriers to information access. Anecdotally, it has been reported that patrons stop using
the library when cards are blocked due to fines.
At the November 8, 2017 special Santa Monica Public Library Board meeting, the Board
voted 4-0 with one member absent to endorse the report recommendation from Li brary
staff and recommend the elimination of fines for youth cardholders.
Circulation of Youth Materials
A notable downturn in circulation for children and teens material is apparent since 2012.
Many factors may contribute to that decrease, access to more information digitally,
adoption of the non-resident fee, which was in effect July 1, 2013 through February 1,
2016, and the decreasing youth population in the City.
Decline in youth material circulation – Table 2
Youth Material
Circulation FY13/14 FY14/15 FY15/16 FY16/17
Juvenile -9.12% 0.50% -8.49% -1.64%
Teen -15.68% 4.36% -11.66% -11.72%
Total -11.14% 1.63% -9.44% -4.59%
According to the 2014 Youth Wellbeing Report Card (see attached weblink 2014 Youth
Wellbeing Report Card) those 18 years and under comprised 15% of Santa Monica’s
total population, which was then 92,987. There is a decline in youth in the community
based on the 2000 census for Santa Monica showing 14,057 youth. That number
currently is 13,340 according to the 2016 estimated census for Santa Monica in
American FactFinder.
4 of 6
A potential cause in the decline in use among youth could be tied not just to the primary
factors noted above, but to fines that might prevent their using the Library regularly.
Outstanding fines on Youth cards are minimal according to the Library’s Integrated
Library System and date back to 1998.
Outstanding fines for Children and Teen Accounts previously accrued and currently due
in Polaris the Integrated Library System – Table 3
Patron Code Status # Balance
Juvenile (0-11) Active blocked 373 $6,064
unblocked 805 $1,533
Inactive blocked 424 $8,818
unblocked 313 $758
Total $17,173
Teen (12-18) Active blocked 393 $6,563
unblocked 666 $1,305
Inactive blocked 1311 $22,945
unblocked 841 $2,271
Total $33,084
Total Outstanding Fines for Children and Teen Accounts $50,257
Student success programs and fine free status
The largest public library in Southern California, Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL), has
a newly adopted Student Success card (see attached weblink for Student Success
Card) for children and teens in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Essentially, all students enrolled in the District receive a special category LAPL Student
Success card that is exempt from fines and renewal requirements.
On December 19, 2017, The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors instructed the
Los Angeles County Librarian to implement a fine-free student library card for students
17 years old and under.
Santa Monica Public Library and the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District are in
the process of developing a program that ensures all students receive a library card to
5 of 6
support their success all through school. Removing fines for youth is a first step in the
process.
Fine Free Movement
A robust nationwide movement is afoot in support of fine-free public library services.
There is no indication, according to current data, that fines serve as a deterrent or
promote return and use of library materials. With increasing frequency, libraries point to
the value of fine-free accounts, especially for youth.
Library Journal published “Doing Fine(s)? / Fines & Fees” by Jennifer A. Dixon and
Steven Gillis on April 4, 2017 (see attached weblink Library Journal). Because most
libraries moving to fine-free accounts have done so in the past 2 years, the authors
found that the impact on circulation of library materials was less discernable at this
point. Instead, they focused on the good will benefits and how so far, the removal of
fines brought people back to the library and improved staff interactions with patrons at
the point of return. Habitually late library users would probably continue to behave in the
same manner. The immediate impact for youth would be a positive experience and
surprise at learning there were no fines upon returning late items.
A number of local libraries have adopted fine free status for youth including Altadena
Library District, City of Los Angeles Public Library, and LA County Library.
Plan to implement fine free status
The Library has formed an ad hoc committee to implement outreach to children through
Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica private schools, Community
Corporation, Housing and Economic Development family clients , and Community and
Cultural Services to increase library registration and use. The fine free status for youth
accounts for those ages 0-18 will have a significant impact on the number of youth
accounts. A general marketing campaign is expected in collaboration with the Office of
Communications and local news outlets.
Financial Impact and Budget Actions
6 of 6
The approval of eliminating overdue fines for youth cardholders will decrease ongoing
Library Fines revenues by $24,000 per year and remove approximately $50,300 in
outstanding fines previously accrued and currently due in Polaris the Library’s
Integrated Library System. Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget for account 01613.401600
should be decreased by $24,000 and an updated fine resolution will be submitted during
the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Exception-Based Budget.
Prepared By: Susan Lamb, Librarian III
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Student Success Card
B. Library Journal
C. 2014 Youth Wellbeing Report Card