COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Kalamazoo County library has announced it is eliminating late fees, adding to the number of local communities that have already phased out the practice.
The Comstock Township Library made a Facebook post saying that as of Tuesday, March 3rd there will be no more late fees for patrons and that debts racked up for late materials will be waived.
The township joins both Kalamazoo Public Library and The Galesburg-Charleston District Library which ended late fees in past months.
Proponents of eliminating the fees argue that punitive costs discourage low-income residents from utilizing educational material and services at libraries.
Comstock Library says that because many people choose to keep books rather than pay an excessive fine, it makes since for the library to forgive the accumulated debt.
The library’s website says that patrons will still not be able to check out material if they have overdue items on their account, and that they still receive reminders to return items.
