Starting on October 15th, The Seattle Public Library is changing its borrowing policy and adding/changing fines and fees to some items.

The number of items you can check out will drop from 100 to 50. In order to check out anymore books you must not have more than 50 library items. The number of holds is also dropping to 25. “Cardholders won’t lose unfilled holds, but won’t be able to place more holds until the total is below 25,” according to the bookmark being handed out. If you want to borrow a book from a different library system, it will cost five dollars. This fee does not apply to items owned by SPL. Items designated for kids twelve and under will start accruing late fees. Daily fines will be fifteen cents per day per item.

The SPL board of trustees revised their policy (.pdf) to “address the high demand for limited library books and other items during tough
economic times, continue to provide quality service with a constrained budget, maximize the circulation of books and other items for all customers and bring borrowing limits and fees in line with other library systems.”

Last month the entire library system took a week-long furlough to help with budget cuts. (Thanks Peggy for the tip!)