Feasibility of Implementing Fine-Forgiveness Program in Public School District Libraries

This paper explores a barrier to access of information sometimes found in school libraries: the practice of library fines. This first chapter highlights the context and background of using fines in both the public and the school library. This introductory chapter will also explain the rationale for the research study. The second chapter of this paper examines the existing research available regarding the subjects of school library access barriers and the effectiveness of library fines in general. The third chapter defines the characteristics of the research study which examined the fine practices and mindsets of teacher librarians in a specific suburban school 8 district. Researching the fine practices and mindsets within this district created a foundation from which more feasible fine-alternative practices can be designed and put into place. Following a description of the study, the fourth chapter presents findings of the study while the fifth chapter discusses study results in relation to the research questions and application recommendations