Posted on WIRED by Patricia Mckenzie on 1/15/20:

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library is eliminating most overdue library fines. Beginning spring semester 2020, UM students, faculty and staff will no longer receive overdue fines on most books and media. In addition, general item check out for undergraduate students will extend from 3 weeks to 4 months and match the loan period for graduate students. Based on student requests the library recently engaged in an analysis and discussion of library fines. The 2019 American Library Association’s “Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Inequality” was used as a guide. The resolution included the following language, which resonated with library personnel who are committed to student success and retention:

• Fines present an economic barrier to access of library materials and services.
  
• Mounting evidence indicates that eliminating fines increases library card adoption and library usage.
  
• Fines create a barrier in public relations, and absorb valuable staff time applying, collecting, and managing dues.

The Mansfield Library is committed to serving students and eliminating any barriers that might negatively impact students’ relationship with the library or their access and use of library collections, programming and services. Library users can renew general items online anytime from the library website by logging into their My Library Account. Some specialized items such as course reserve materials or laptop computers will continue to generate overdue fines. Learn more about library services and resources and details about overdue fines at Mansfield Library.