By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Greenfield, MA) The Greenfield Public Library is now fine free after a unanimous vote from the Library Board of Trustees. The board, along with Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner, voted to eliminate fines moving forward and forgave all historical late fees that exist on patron’s cards. Library Board Chair Doris Cowdrey noted the pubic interest considerations in the decision.
”There is a lot of research which indicates that fines are a deterrent for many folks causing them to use their library less or not at all,” said Cowdrey.
Replacement costs, fines for museum passes, and fines for materials borrowed from other libraries will remain in place.