For Immediate Release: July 11, 2007

Late Fines Increase At Oakland Public Library

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(Oakland, CA)—The last time the Oakland Public Library raised its overdue fines was 1987. Late charges were just $.05 per day and the library still had a card catalog. Now, twenty years later, the Oakland Public Library will be increasing its late charges from $.10 to $.20 per day for most adult and teen items starting August 1, 2007. This change does not affect children’s materials (which do not accrue overdue charges except for videos/DVDs) or certain audiovisual materials, which have late fines of $1.00 per day.

“We want to encourage our public to continue to use our materials, and to bring them back in a timely way so that others can borrow them,” stated Library Director Carmen Martinez. Library administration also pointed out that most public libraries in the Bay Area already charge at least $.20 per day for late items.

The City of Oakland’s budget for Fiscal Years 2007-2009, which includes this change, was approved by the Oakland City Council in June.

For more information, please call (510) 238-3134, or see the Library's Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.

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