GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from reader Ed Gilpin in response to our story A year later, Guelph Public Library not hurt by end of late fees.
I am compelled to respond to the report quoting Michelle Campbell that the elimination of library fines was a “great decision” and the loss of $200,000 was “never really a huge amount”.
Such a cavalier dismissal of revenue is astounding.
I doubt that the library system is operating without this amount as the taxpayers can be counted on to replenish the loss.
Besides missing an opportunity to promote responsibility – i.e. return what you borrow on time and take care of what you use – the fiscally naive decision to eliminate fines to promote usage is misleading.
Library usage is predicated on the desire to read, not avoiding penalties. Fines are not a barrier to usage because they are avoidable.
If the concern was that low-income families could not afford fines, then continue to collect the fees and donate a portion of the $200,000 to the food bank or another worthy social project.
I suggest the real reason was the desire to avoid confrontation between library staff and late paying patrons.
Give in to the bread and circuses, O Tempora O Mores.
Ed Gilpin, Guelph
