For those studying at the University of Montana, books will be a little easier on college students wallets from here on out.
For the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, most overdue library fines will be eliminated as of the current spring semester.
Librarian Megan Stark says this new initiative will have huge impacts on how students utilize the library and its services.
“We understand that students are more successful in their academic careers when they interact with the library with frequency,” said Stark. “So eliminating all kinds of economic barriers for our students is so important.”
The decision to eliminate book and media fines stemmed from student requests and discussions surrounding a recent publication by the American Library Association.
In 2019, the A.L.A. passed a resolution calling fines a “form of social inequality,” and urged the nation’s libraries to consider doing away with their fines.
“We anticipate that this will have a very positive impact on the student body,” said Stark.
Mansfield Library will also extend their check out period from 3 weeks to 4 months, about the same length as a normal semester, which is perfect for those students looking to save on textbook rentals.
