Los Angeles County public libraries could soon stop fining patrons for late books and other materials under a proposal being considered by the county Board of Supervisors, a measure some consider long overdue. Hahn, whose 4th District includes Long Beach and Diamond Bar, will present her fine-free proposal at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. If it passes, the county will move to waive fines and fees for overdue books and other materials for its system, which serves 3.4 million residents in unincorporated L.A. County and 49 incorporated cities. “Fines have created a disproportionate impact on vulnerable individuals, particularly youth and older adults, noncitizens, and communities of color.”Overdue fines make up less than 1% of L.A. County Library’s revenue collection, she said. Under L.A. County’s current fee schedule, a borrower with an adult library card is charged 30 cents per item per day for an overdue item.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 08, 2021 03:56 UTC