Basically every library I've ever seen, read about, heard about, etc. relies on positive/negative punishment to get their books back on time. Huge majority of libraries do not use positive/negative reinforcement as a behavior modifier to get their books back on time.
Some of you are probably confused. Maybe you work for a fine-free library. How are fine-free libraries punishing their patrons? Isn't that the opposite of what libraries are all about? I don't blame you for being confused; these terms [positive and negative reinforcement etc.] are often thrown around with incorrect definitions all the time in pop psychology. It leads to a lot of overall confusion!
Psychology:
In psychology, "positive" does not mean "good" and "negative" does not mean "bad." In the same way, "punishment" doesn't mean "spanking" (though spanking can be a punishment) and "reinforcement" doesn't mean "great parenting" (though great parents can use reinforcement).
Both reinforcements and punishments can be kind or cruel, good or bad, ethical or abusive. Pop psychology confuses the terms and makes it so the terms illustrate a moral judgement [ex: if you are "good" you use positive reinforcement, if you are "bad" you use negative punishment], but that is not the purpose of these terms. These terms are simply to explain behavior modification.
Here are the definitions of these terms, according to psychology:
Positive: adding something
Negative: taking something away
Punishment: discouraging an unwanted behavior
Reinforcement: encouraging a wanted behavior
Examples:
Positive punishment:
You hit your sibling [unwanted behavior], so now you have to help me clean the house [adding something]
Negative Punishment:
You hit your sibling [unwanted behavior], so I am taking away your iPad for the day [taking something away]
Positive Reinforcement:
You studied very diligently for your test [wanted behavior], so now I am taking you out for ice cream [adding something]
Negative Reinforcement:
You studied very diligently for your test [wanted behavior], so now you do not need to do the dishes tonight [taking something away]
According to most psychologists, reinforcements are much more effective than punishments. Reinforcements work faster and are overall better at behavior modification than punishments. This isn't to say that we do not need or should not have punishments, there are consequences to actions, but if we want to modify behaviors we should be using reinforcements as a behavior modifier.
Libraries and Punishments
Basically every library, regardless of if it is a fine library or a fine-free library, uses either positive or negative punishment to get their patrons to get their items back on time. For example:
Fine library: Patron doesn't bring their books back on time [unwanted behavior], so library adds fines to patron's account [adding something] (positive punishment)
Fine-free library: Patron doesn't bring their books back on time [unwanted behavior], so library does not allow patron to check out books until they bring books back [taking something away] (negative punishment)
In this economy, there is a lot of evidence to suggest the the fine-free approach is much more empathetic and ultimately encourages more people to check out books because it isn't money-based. Some libraries have noticed an increase in books not being returned on time, but for the most part the fine-free process is just as effective (sometimes more effective) as fine libraries at getting people to come back into the library and return their books. Because of all this, I personally believe fine-free libraries have the right idea and that this is the future of libraries. However, both fine and fine-free libraries have approached the topic of getting books returned on time in a punishment-minded way. The punishments are often fines, blocking material checkout, or in more extreme cases, legal action. Again, this isn't to say there shouldn't ever be punishments, so I am not suggesting we get rid of all the processes we have in place, but my question is: how are libraries reinforcing wanted behaviors?
Libraries and Reinforcements
Libraries want to encourage patrons to return the library materials on time, yet how are we reinforcing this? Most libraries don't use reinforcements, though some do, but not on a large scale. The results of using reinforcements as behavior modification have been a mix bag. I believe this is because policy makers have an easier time being reactive rather than proactive. Reacting to a late returns is an easier fix than finding out why a patron is having a hard time bringing things back to the library on time. This is especially true because each patron is different and have different needs and set of problems they may be dealing with. Unless you live in a magical area where everyone has the same income, housing situation, food security, time management skills, health history, family life etc., you're going to have a variety of different people coming through the doors at your library. Finding a good reinforcement that works for every single person is going to be impossible, so we don't want to even attempt this. We want reinforcements that will help an average library user. That can be difficult to figure out what an average library user looks like, and it will be different community to community.
Here are some ideas for reinforcement. These are just quick ideas, and I don't know how these would work (of IF they would work) with a specific library's policy or budget.
-If working in a fine library: Every time a patron returns items back on time, $XYZ amount of fines are removed from their account (negative reinforcement)
-Every time a patron returns items on time, they are entered to win a monthly gift card to a local grocery store etc. (positive reinforcement)
-Every time a patron returns their items on time, librarians acknowledge and thank patron for doing so (positive reinforcement)
-Every time a patron returns their items on time, patron receives physical or digital "token" that can be cashed in once they receive enough of them to get coupons to local businesses or discounts on library printers or some other small reward (positive reinforcement). I found this idea here.
In Conclusion
Libraries should begin using reinforcements instead of just relying on punishments to get materials back on time. To do this requires imagination and rethinking our current structure and policy. This isn't to say libraries should do away with punishments as a form of behavior modification, there are consequences to actions, but approaching the subject in a more proactive way will help decrease late returns in the first place.