By Stephen Cheslik
EAGLE TIMES MANAGING EDITOR
Are you late returning a book to the Springfield Town Library? No. What about a board game? That metal detector?
Don’t worry about it.
That’s the message that Springfield Town Librarian Sue Dowdell wants everyone to know.
As of the beginning of the month, the library no longer charges late fees.
“Most libraries in the state are fine free,” said Dowdell.
The change ensures everyone feels comfortable checking out a book or a dozen. Part of the library’s response to its Declaration of Inclusion the Board of Selectmen adopted last year.
“One of the things we want to do is include as many people as possible,” she said. “Our food insecurity rate is over 30 percent in town, and many people may shy away from the library due to the fines.”
It might have been only 25 cents per day per item, but that can add up not just in fees but in patrons checking out fewer books because they are worried about the potential of fines.
But what if someone forgets to bring their materials back? Notices will be sent by text or email when an item is one week overdue, according to the library. When an item is two weeks overdue, a second notice is sent saying that the library account is frozen until the late items are returned. Items that are never returned need to be paid for.
More than books
A library card doesn’t just give a borrower access to print and e-books; it provides access to “ snowshoes, games and puzzles,” Dowdell said. “We have a metal detector, a telescope, a microscope, a whole slew of things that people would not normally expect at the library. But it is saving money.”
Having a picnic, check out some lawn games, Dowdell urges. Have family coming to town, borrow the library’s passes to Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock. Dowdell did recently.
“We are looking to be much more sustainable and resilient for our community,” she said.
Rather than every family needing an item they may only use once, check it out.
It’s “better for the environment and the pocketbook,” she said.
To join the library, town residents just need to bring in an item that shows they are from Springfield, a license, lease or piece of mail.
Not from Springfield, you can still check out that metal detector. The library charges non-residents $50 per year or $25 per six months to join.
“If you take out a Billings Farm pass, you’ve already gotten your money back,” she said.
Ending late fines won’t make a big financial difference to the library, only about $500 a year, but it will hopefully make a big change for residents struggling to make ends meet, Dowdell said.
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