Ideas change everything

A librarian's case against overdue book fines

1,785,978 plays|

Dawn Wacek |

TEDxUWLaCrosse

• February 2018

Libraries have the power to create a better world; they connect communities, promote literacy and spark lifelong learners. But there's one thing that keeps people away: the fear of overdue book fines. In this thought-provoking talk, librarian Dawn Wacek makes the case that fines don't actually do what we think they do. What if your library just ... stopped asking for them altogether?

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Libraries have the power to create a better world; they connect communities, promote literacy and spark lifelong learners. But there's one thing that keeps people away: the fear of overdue book fines. In this thought-provoking talk, librarian Dawn Wacek makes the case that fines don't actually do what we think they do. What if your library just ... stopped asking for them altogether?

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxUWLaCrosse, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

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Dawn Wacek advocates for equitable library service for all community members.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxUWLaCrosse, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Dawn Wacek: A librarian's case against overdue book fines | TED Talk