Fines create barriers : Omaha Public Library looks to get rid of daily overdue fees
City Council will hear public comment on the proposal April 20 Share Updated: 10:29 PM CDT Apr 16, 2021
City Council will hear public comment on the proposal April 20 Share Updated: 10:29 PM CDT Apr 16, 2021
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Show Transcript ALEXANDRA: BOOKS LEAVE THE OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES ON A NEAR DAILY BASIS. BUT THEY DON’T ALWAYS RETURN ON TIME THAT USUALLY EARNS YOU A LATE FEE. BUT THE LIBRARY IS LOOKING T CHANGE THE POLICY AND GET RID OF OVERDUE FINES PUBLIC LIBRARIES ARE HERE T HAVE FREE AND EQUAL ACCESS FOR PEOPLE TO INFORMATION. FINES CREATE BARRIERS TO THO ACCESS TO THAT ACCESS AND ESPECIALLY DISPROPORTIONATELY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOWER INCOME. IT’S NOT A TESTAMENT TO HOW RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE ARE AS MUCH AS IT IS TO HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE. SO WE JUST WANT TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS SO THAT ONCE AGAI THIS BECOMES AN EQUITABLE SPACE FOR PEOPLE