Carroll public library board to discuss whether to again charge fines for overdue materials

The Carroll County Public Library Board of Trustees is scheduled to further discuss Tuesday whether to charge fines for overdue materials, a requirement for the system to receive full funding in the county’s fiscal 2025 operating budget.

Commissioners allocated about $11.2 million for the public library system in the budget, with an additional $169,230 in one-time funds to cover operating costs. But in a 3-2 vote in May, commissioners decided to withhold $80,000 of the one-time funding unless the library system completed two studies, one about collecting fines from adults who return books late and another about whether to open some library branches on Sundays. Fiscal 2025 started on July 1.

The library system became fine free on Sept. 1, 2020. At that time the system forgave all overdue fines that existed prior to that date, saying the new policy would ensure that all “community members have equitable access to CCPL’s resources and services, while eliminating the financial barrier of overdue fines.” Materials that are more than 35 days overdue are considered lost and borrowers are charged a replacement fee; customers have 90 days to return the materials to have the fee removed, according to the library’s website.

At June’s trustees meeting , library system Executive Director Andrea Berstler presented the two completed studies. The board unanimously voted to not open on Sundays but delayed the decision on overdue fees.

During Berstler’s presentation on overdue fines, she projected about $27,000 in actual revenue in 2024 from collecting fines, after paying for credit card devices and fees, software adjustments, and staff time.

A law passed in the Maryland General assembly also complicates matters, Berstler said. The law, which takes effect Oct. 1 , prohibits public libraries from charging a fine for overdue library materials “borrowed by a minor or intended for children or teens.” Because of the “intention” part of the law, it can be difficult for library employees to discern who to charge for overdue materials, Berstler said.

Some board members, such as Steve Wantz and Garima Chaturvedi, argued against reimposing overdue fees at June’s board meeting. Wantz said “staff would have identified this as a problem previous to this if it was something that needs to be addressed,” while Chaturvedi added that it would be a “major barrier” for community members if fines were reinstated.

The two studies, requested by Commissioners’ President Ken Kiler, were also presented in June at a commissioners meeting. Commissioner Ed Rothstein presented information from the board of trustees meeting, but no decisions were made about giving the library system the $80,000 in additional funding that was withheld. No other commissioners commented on Rothstein’s presentation.

The seven-member board of trustees meets monthly and is responsible for developing library policy, establishing rules and regulations for library operations, and the approval of the library’s annual and operating budget request and allocation. Tuesday’s meeting is open to the public and will have 15 minutes allocated for public comment . It will be held at the system’s headquarters, at 1100 Green Valley Road in New Windsor at 7 p.m.

For more information on previous agendas and future meetings, go to library.carr.org/about/board .