Library board adopts fine‑free circulation policy but keeps existing hotspot late‑fee rules

The White House Library board voted to adopt an update to the library’s circulation policy that implements a fine‑free approach for most items while keeping the current hotspot late‑fee settings in place.

At the meeting a staff presenter said the library will transition to fine‑free circulation and that system settings must require patrons’ accounts to have a zero balance before they can check out items. Staff noted technology devices (hotspots) were being treated separately and discussed the mechanics of imposing late fees for those devices. The presenter said the hotspot setting in the system is currently configured to charge $3 per day up to a maximum of $30, and that staff had considered changing that but recommended keeping the existing configuration while rolling out the broader fine‑free policy.

Board member Jane moved “to accept all of the changes to the policy update except leave the hotspot as is.” A second was recorded and the chair called for a voice vote; the motion carried with all those present voting in favor and no opposition recorded in the transcript.

Board members and staff said they will monitor several metrics after the change, including circulation numbers and cardholder counts, to assess whether fine‑free leads to longer checkout periods or fewer returns. Staff said they will track circulation and account activity under the new rules and report findings back to the board.

The policy update also required minor edits to circulation and device language (for example, clarifying that accounts must be at $0 to check out materials). The board directed staff to finalize system settings so the fine‑free policy takes effect in time for the planned roll‑out; staff earlier in the meeting said March 18 would be the official start date for waiving fines. The board did not record individual vote tallies in the transcript.