Fines have been identified as a significant barrier to children’s use of library materials. “it’s unfair to penalize the child, who has no source of income, when the parents/guardians are responsible for the cost of non-returned items,” said Angelina Cruz, one of the board members voting to approve the suspension. Brian O’Connell, another board member, said “In my capacity as a Library Media Specialist for Racine Unified, I see first-hand the difference an interesting and skill-level-appropriate book can make in the reading ability development of a child. So from my perspective, I believe it’s important to remove as many barriers that prevent getting books into the hands of a child as possible.”