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West Bloomfield library eliminates overdue fines BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com
Local leaders discuss deer management options
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Library patrons who might tend to get a little stressed when a due date is near can now breathe a sigh of relief. As of April 1, the West Bloomfield Township Public Library no longer charges overdue fines. West Bloomfield is not alone in making that decision. According to the library’s website, around 58% of Michigan library systems no longer charge overdue fines on print materials, with that information based on 2023 state reports. According to West Bloomfield’s site, less than 0.5% of the library’s revenue last year was from fines, with the library estimating that it spends more than it receives to collect fines due to IT costs, including credit card processing fees and payment terminals. The site also states that fine collection consumes “considerable” staff time that could be better spent on other public services. “Fines are no longer a sustainable source of library revenue,” the site states. The Bloomfield Township Public Library also eliminated overdue fines, which, according to a report, has only accounted for
BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Although most cities and townships have their own unique agendas to tend to, in recent years a common issue has captured the attention of multiple municipalities. For some, deer sightings are perhaps mostly associated with areas in the northern part of the state, but residents in some local communities know that you don’t have to take an hours-long car ride to get a glimpse of the graceful wild animals. They can be spotted in yards of many Oakland County homes. For some, that brings joy. For others, it’s a nuisance, and a potentially dangerous one at that. The issue is one that recently brought local community leaders together. Last month, the city of Farmington Hills hosted a meeting of the South Oakland County Mayors Association, and a regional approach to urban deer herd management was a topic of discussion. At a goals study session in January, the Farmington Hills City Council set a goal to work toward creating a system-
Effective April 1, the West Bloomfield Township Public Library no longer charges overdue fines. Pictured at right is Vivyan Abdulahad, who is a circulation clerk at the library. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
See DEER on page 4A
See FINES on page 6A
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Where the deer roam
APRIL 17, 2024 • Vol. 21, No. 8