Library to come down hard on memory-deficient DVD binge-watchers

As the City of Sault Ste. Marie prepares to significantly boost revenues from user fees in 2017, library patrons who fail to return books, DVDs and video games can expect huge fine increases.

Sault Ste. Marie Public Library board members were initially considering some modest fine hikes at their most recent meeting.

They were asked to increase the $20 fine for unreturned hardcover books by $5, and to similarly add $5 to the $15 fine for unreturned DVD movies.

Library staff also recommended a new fine of $45 for DVD series, which are popular right now with binge-watchers.

But board members balked at these recommendations at their December 19 meeting, pointing out that even the increased fines were far less than the cost of replacing books and DVDs.

Roxanne Toth-Rissanen, chief executive officer and director of public libraries, conceded that some users are believed to be taking advantage of the low fines to acquire expensive library materials.

"That's a good gimmick, if you can come to the library and get a $69 book for $20," said board member Frances Ryan.

"Why is it a flat fee and not a replacement fee?" Ryan asked.

Toth-Rissanen is expected to return to the next library board meeting in January with a revised fee schedule stipulating that the full cost of missing materials must be paid by card-holders.

Library patrons are not allowed to buy their own replacement copies of lost items because such items aren't pre-processed for library use, Toth-Rissanen said.

Book vendors selling to the library provide a special processing service that catalogues and bar codes the books and attaches covers and spine labels.

In other news, Toth-Rissanen told SooToday that a planned self-checkout system may not be introduced this year because of fiscal restraints.

"Financially, with the cutbacks, we're not able to do that at this point in time," she said.

"We're not taking it off the strategic plan. It's just going to take a little bit longer."

The system is not expected to be installed in 2017 unless unexpected funding materializes.

No layoffs are planned as a result of the $100,000 cut by City Council from this year's library allocation, Toth-Rissanen said.