By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull Public Library will soon be fine-free – with the exception of Library of Things items – joining the 85% of Massachusetts libraries that have already adopted such a policy. The change is expected to go into effect by early August.

At a recent meeting, the library board of trustees unanimously supported Director Brian DeFelice’s recommendation for the library to go this route following a convincing presentation.

“Hull had been an outlier in the Old Colony Library Network on this subject,” trustees Chair Celia Nolan told The Hull Times. “As Hull library items [that are returned late] have been incurring a fine even if they are borrowed through or returned to another library, this makes Hull a less desirable source – and income from fines is minimal.”

DeFelice noted that fines have not been found to increase timely returns, but rather, may deter patrons from continuing to use the library when they owe fines, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged.

He also explained that fines have an inequitable effect, as they only apply to print material, so patrons who do not have access to or are not comfortable with digital devices (or simply prefer physical materials) are the only ones to whom the fine applies.

“This doesn’t mean there’s no accountability,” Nolan said. “There will still be a replacement cost for items not returned and a hold on new borrowing if $15 or more is owed.”

No other change is expected to library charges, including printing, lost or damaged materials, and borrowing from libraries that do fine for late returns, among others.

In other business at the meeting…

• New library cards are now available, featuring a drone photo of the library building. “Even better than the aesthetics of the new card, patrons can have both a wallet card and key tag for a single account,” Nolan said. Previously, patrons could have only one.

• The library’s WiFi service has been upgraded to “50 times faster” (from 5 mbps to almost 250 mbps, according to DeFelice) than it was before, according to Nolan. The air conditioners are also being installed.

• Programming for all ages is planned. Event information is posted on the library’s website and Facebook page, as well as on the new screen in the Children’s Room.

• As a result of the board’s annual reorganization, Nolan will remain chair, with Emmy Garr as vice chair and Curt Miller now serving as clerk. Alice Sloan was welcomed as the recently elected board member.

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