Library Tightens Rules On Cards, Fines

The Spokane Public Library begins cracking down on literary scofflaws Monday.

A tougher fine policy means library patrons won’t be able to annually renew their cards if they have any outstanding fines or fees. Under the old policy, they could renew their card if they owed less than $10.

Old rules called for the library to send out a notice when a book was seven days late. If the book was returned before that, no notice was mailed but the library user still owed 15 cents for every day the item had been past-due. Now, a notice will go out any time a user is assessed a late fee.

Library users also will get another notice when their bill hits $25, as well as a third notice when the bill hits $50.

Then, if the patrons don’t make arrangements to pay within nine days, the bill goes to a collection agency. The old cutoff was $100. , DataTimes