Whats the goal of the fines? To get people to return books. It should not be seen as a way to fill budget gaps. Libraries are not money making enterprises.
Racking up accumalating fines is a punitive measure that affects poor people more. Poor and disadvantaged people need to use the library more because they dont have acess to books/literacy/ resources at home. Senior citizins who use the library may not be able to get to the library to drop off books in time esp if theres bad weather.
The new method is smart. After a book is overdue for a month, the patron will be charged the cost to replace the book. They wont be able to take out new books until they pay to replace the book or bring it back. Thats a much fairer method then arbitrary daily accumalative fines liolom vaed and still teaches responsibility.