Vinay Menon writes Paying library fines with cat photos? It’s a purr-fect (sorry!) way to encourage literacy:
But since even paltry fines may prove too much for some forgetful bookworms, the Worcester Public Library has just purred out a revolutionary idea: now you can pay for overdue, lost or damaged items with a photo of your cat.
Forgot you borrowed “1984” in 1984? Bring it back and slap down a portrait of Fluffy.
“Show us a picture of your cat, a famous cat, a picture you drew of a cat, a shelter cat — any cat, and we will forgive WPL fees on your library account,” Worcester announced to promote this month’s literary amnesty known as “March Meowness.”….
There is fine print, including “accounts with 5 or more items will need to be reviewed by a manager of Circulation.” Fair. “Felines for Fee Forgiveness” also does not apply to items that were lost or damaged in an “attempt to restrict access to diverse content.”
….
Not a cat lover? Not a problem. Read the italicized asterisk at the bottom of the March Meowness page: “*We will accept honorary cats as well, so you may show us a picture or drawing of a dog, raccoon, orca, capybara, or any other animal.”
This is a fine idea: the goal should be for borrowers return the books they’ve been lent, and this provides a low-cost, charming way to encourage returns without stigma. Fines as a deterrent aren’t (normally) so high as to work effectively yet at any price hold the library out as little more than a traffic cop. Traffic enforcement falls near the bottom of a list of socially beloved activities.
Well done, Worcester, Massachusetts.