[kennyc]

Chicago Library Offers Rare Amnesty on $1.4 Million in Late Fees
By Keenan Mayo on August 07, 2012

Yesterday the Chicago Public Library announced it would offer a three-week fine amnesty program for its users called “Once in a Blue Moon,” a reference to the rare nature of the project, and to the astrological event that coincides with it. From Aug. 20 through Sept. 7, the library—which is owed $1.4 million in outstanding fines on $2 million worth of materials—will accept all overdue items and waive the fees. Bloomberg Businessweek reached out to Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon to learn more.

How did the idea come about?

Fine amnesty programs have been around, and several cities have used them. When we talk about fines, we talk about the late fees that accumulate on items—not fines for their replacements. There are people who stop using the library as a result of fines. Maybe they weren’t able to pay the fine. Even though our average fine is around $14, for some that ends up becoming a real barrier to being able to come back and use the library. We haven’t done one in Chicago in about 20 years. If you do them on a semi-regular basis, it’s a way of reengaging people who have drifted away. It also makes sense because really there’s a point that we’re never going to get the money back from them.
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http://www.businessweek.com/articles...n-in-late-fees