COUNTY LIBRARY LATE-BOOK FINES

Holding a book checked out of a county public library longer than the allotted three weeks will earn you more than the ire of those who have the book reserved behind you. It will cost you a fine. In fiscal year 1989 the county libraries collected nearly $40,000 per month in late fees from delinquent readers. During the biggest single month, May, that amount reached almost $50,000. Here’s how much in fines has been assessed readers during each month for the last two fiscal years:

Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Percentage 1989 Daily Month 1988 1989 Increase Average July $29,790.16 $33,087.63 11.1 $1,067.34 August 26,311.21 38,819.06 47.5 1,252.23 September 22,290.08 31,559.09 41.6 1,051.97 October 27,590.41 36,175.40 32.2 1,166.95 November 26,078.93 35,145.16 34.8 1,171.51 December 29,607.82 35,755.86 20.8 1,153.41 January 34,703.24 41,252.31 18.9 1,330.72 February 26,799.38 35,046.43 30.8 1,251.66 March 35,703.93 41,318.79 15.7 1,332.86 April 38,863.04 43,316.55 11.5 1,443.89 May 31,476.51 47,115.17 49.7 1,519.84 June 37,870.07 44,453.47 17.4 1,481.78 Monthly Average $30,590.40 $38,587.08 26.1 -- YEARLY TOTAL $367,084.78 $463,044.92 26.1 1,268.62

Source: Orange County Public Library