DARDANELLE â Beginning in January, the libraries within the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System will eliminate late fees in Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Yell Counties.
The ARVRLS Regional Board of Trustees voted in favor of this decision at the fourth quarter board meeting.
Removing late fines is becoming a national trend as more and more libraries across the country are taking the leap to go fine-free. A careful assessment of fine revenue demonstrated a steady decrease within recent years. Not only have fine revenues gradually decreased but fines account for less than 0.5 percent of library revenue regionwide.
âLibrary fines present economic barriers to access library materials. Throughout the pandemic, our libraries removed overdue fines and other unnecessary barriers but retained quality services and programming options,â says ARVRLS Director Misty Hawkins.