I read with puzzlement the recent article (Aug. 16, “Jones Library eliminates late fees”) on proposed elimination of late fees on books.
Mr. Austin Sarat, trustee president, pronounced the proposal “fabulous.” The notion that eliminating personal responsibility is in the interest of social justice is odd. It is actually a case of low expectation of people who may be poor.
Returning library books on time or paying late fees is a basic civic virtue. Library Director Ms. Sharon Sharry provides the figure of $20,876 for fiscal 2019 for overdue fines. How does she propose the town offset the loss?
This proposal is unwise and promotes no justice, social or otherwise.
T.K. Janardhanan
Amherst