All Is Forgiven

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As in no fines for forgotten library items here in Nashua, NH.

No fines, period — Library users can keep a borrowed book, DVD, or anything else longer
without fear of a fine or penalty. The Nashua Public Library is the largest in NH to go fine-free.

An early holiday gift — this past December, the NPL eliminated fines and erased overdue fines from current accounts in the system. This meant forgiving overdue balances for 40,000 people out of the library's 53,000 account holders, according to a library representative. A total amount of the forgiven fines wasn't given.

Why No Fines? — It's an effort to encourage more library use. It's thought that eliminating fees will encourage people to make more use of the library resources. Overdue fine revenue declined from a high of $78,000 in 2012 to $11,800 for fiscal year 2022. According to a library spokesperson the decline is partially due to automatic renewals and because people are checking out DVDs less now.

Before the new policy took effect, library fines were 15 cents per day for books and magazines and 60 cents for DVDs. Some users will still face penalties for lost or damaged articles and overdue fines for select inter-library transactions.

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Users will still get a date to return an item, which will automatically renew twice unless someone has a hold on the item. But, there's no fine for being late.

The new policy was included on the NPL website with this statement: By taking this step, the library is joining a growing national movement among public libraries to remove a major barrier to library use. Research shows that not only are overdue fines ineffective incentives for returning items, but are also a barrier to using the library for some of the city’s most underserved populations. This includes low-income families, which library staff confirmed by speaking to community members.

As someone who has always returned library items on time or earlier, and never paid a late fee, I wonder if this new policy will be effective, and if it will remain in effect long term. It seems there will be no incentive for people to return items when others are waiting, which would then decrease rather than increase library use from frustrated folks on a hold/waiting list.

Your turn — Does your local library impose fines for late or overdue items?

In other Nashua, NH goings on, the new arts center in downtown is nearing completion after more than two years. It's been under construction on Main St. We've watched the progress of the outer structure over these many months as it is a rather prominent structure.

Nashua Center for the Arts during construction phases

Soon we will see the completed interior. The Nashua Center for the Arts will have a grand opening event called, The Nashua Celebration of the Arts, showcasing artists from across the performing arts scene in NH. There's a cost of $15 per person to attend. We've already pre-ordered tickets online along with several fellow residents.

Exterior construction as of January 2023

The completed arts center will host an April 1 grand opening event, The Nashua Celebration of the Arts, which will showcase artists from across the performing arts scene in NH. No specific information has been provided on the website as to performances. This is not a Free event with a cost of $15 each to attend. We've pre-ordered tickets along with several fellow residents. Performances have been scheduled from June to October. Details will follow after the opening. 

As always, the views from our 5th floor apartment window continue to be amazing. This scene was captured a week ago as early morning clouds reflected in a still Nashua River. As you can see, there was a bit of snow cover, most of which is gone as of this week.

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Nothing Lasts Forever — in case you missed it, mailing a 1st class letter ✉️, like Valentine's Day cards, will cost more as effective Sunday, Jan 22, the cost of USPS first-class postage hiked 3 cents, 60 to 63 cents. 

There's More — 1st class Forever stamp increase aside, international letters and postcards went from $1.40 to $1.45, one-ounce, metered mail increased 57 cents to 60 cents, the price for domestic postcards went from 45 cents to 48 cents.😱

There's some good news, the price of Priority Mail retail products, including flat rate boxes and envelopes, went down. No price increases were made for Parcel Select Ground, single-piece letters or flat additional-ounce prices.

Buy Forever Stamps Before July 2023 — Why? they're always valid and, if bought before prices go up (again), can be used to mail 1 oz. domestic letters. Price adjustments are forecast for 2X annually, the USPS expects to implement price changes in January and July. Glad to have stockpiled some at only 60 cents 😉 and was using ones bought when the cost was 58 cents.

And, now you know to get letters and cards out sooner rather than later.