50 years of late fines

Last year, the New York Public Library said it would remove late fees to incentivize people to return long-lost books. Since then, ~88k overdue items were returned. Pre-1954, the late fine was 1 cent per day. Before it was eliminated, the fine had reached 25 cents a day.

Late fines seemed like a great idea, at the time. If you don’t return a book within the due date you’re penalised – simples.

Somewhere along the line libraries lost sight of the purpose of the late fine; to encourage people to return their books prior to the due date.

Libraries also lost sight of their outcome vision: all books are available to everyone through the library system.

The library system was dissuading people from returning books.

It took over 50 years to correct this error.

With a quick sense check of purpose and outcome vision, this system error could have been corrected at any point during those 50 years.

• A financial incentive offered for returning rare books.

• A ‘Christmas Miracle’ 1 hour ‘zero late fees’ window of opportunity.

• A reduction in late fees if you help the library staff to catalogue books or exchange your time to read to children.

No matter what the context of that project, plan or pastime you’re engaging in, it’s always worth a quick sense check of purpose and outcome vision from time to time.

Because 50 years is too long of a time to do things the wrong way.