HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-087 RESOLUTION NO. 21-087
A RESOLUTION OF THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 80-90 TO REVISE FEES FOR
REPLACING MATERIAL AT THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY LIBRARY IN ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida has made the
following determinations:
1. On October 7, 1980, the Board adopted Resolution No. 80-90 which established the
fines and fees and new hours of operation for the St. Lucie County Libraries in Port St. Lucie and Fort
Pierce, Florida.
2. On April 19, 2021, the Library Advisory Board approved a Fine Free Proposal.
3. It i5 now necessary to further amend the Library fines and fees as the St. Lucie County
Library System has been established to provide free, equal, and equitable access to information,
resources, and services for residents of St. Lucie County.
3. Monetary fines for overdue library materials present a barrier to access of library
materials and services. There is mounting evidence that indicates eliminating fines increases library
card adoption and library usage. Monetary fines create a barrier in public relations, and absorb
valuable staff time applying, collecting, and managing dues.
4. Research from other fine-free libraries indicate that fines do not increase return
rates, and further that the cost of collecting and maintaining overdue fees often outweighs the
revenue generated by them. Monetary fines ultimately do not serve the core mission of a modern
library committed to removing barriers to service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
1. The St. Lucie County Library System shall, at a future date to be determined by County
Administration, in consultation with the Library Director, cease charging overdue fines on St. Lucie
County Library materials, but will continue to assess charges for lost and damaged materials.
2. The St. Lucie County Library System will continue to assess late fees for materials
borrowed from outside this library system via participation in the Inter-Library process and for
patron requested printing (B/W, Color, and 3D) and copying.
3. The St. Lucie County Library System will continue to charge a non-resident library
card fee and raise the non-resident library card fee from $15 per year to $25 per year.
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4. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
After motion and second, the vote on this resolution was as follows:
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, Chair AYE
Commissioner, Sean Mitchell, Vice Chair AYE
Commissioner Linda Bartz AYE
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson AYE
Commissioner Cathy Townsend AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 4th day of May 2021.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA--
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BY:
DEPUTY CLERK .0 COMA. CHAIR J+
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