Lake Geneva Public Library is officially the first fine-free library in Walworth County.
At its June meeting, the Lake Geneva Public Library Board approved a one year fine-free policy on adult materials, in addition to the fine-free youth material collection, with a final recommendation back to the board in June 2019.
The board made the decision to encourage reading and library material usage for residents and patrons.
“The LGPL Board of Trustees encourages all current and future library patrons to utilize the materials, program, and services available for their enjoyment, exploration and education,” said board President Fritz Oppenlander.
“Removing barriers to library utilization is important in supporting this objective. We recognize that individuals have different styles and speeds of internally processing material and respect those differences. Similarly, we believe patrons will be respectful of each other and return materials promptly when finished so that everyone may enjoy them,” he added.
Fine-free collection materials are those items owned by the Lake Geneva Public Library and checked out from the Lake Geneva Public Library. The only exceptions to the policy are interlibrary loan items requested from outside of the SHARE library system, which charge overdue fees of 25 cents per day, and WiFi hotspots owned by the Lake Geneva Public Library, which assess overdue fees of $1 a day. Library materials owned by other libraries may accrue overdue fines of 25 cents per day.
Lake Geneva Public Library “Remove the threat of a library fine, and I believe many of our patrons and non-patrons will be more encouraged to take out a book and read at their leisure,” said Trustee Wen-D Kersten.
“Our purpose is not to penalize busy people with active lifestyles who might find it hard to make the date due deadline, but to help them continue their pursuit of lifelong learning by making the process more user-friendly,” she added.
More information about the library’s lending policies, can be found under the “library cards and materials” policy at lakegeneva.lib.wi.us or by contacting library Director Emily Kornak at 262-249-5283.
