Here are links to some of the studies and articles APL consulted when making the decision to go fine free:
OverDue and wait times
Fine Free Policies - a detailed analysis of the return rates, days overdue, and circulation in several libraries that have gone fine free.
https://www.libraryconnection.info/documents/fine_free_policies_report_SC-2019-03-22.pdf
Lightfoot's Decision to Eliminate Library Fines Triggers 240% Increase in Book Returns - a newspaper article reporting data for the first three weeks of Chicago Public Library's fine free policy.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2019/10/30/20940677/chicago-public-library-no-fines-book-returns-increase-lightfoot
The Dayton Library Ended Late Fees: Here's What Happened - an article on the return rate of books to the Dayton Public Library in the six months since it went fine free.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/the-dayton-library-ended-late-fees-here-what-happened/ZGaTCrUqhZQsbaH9QxTbiJ/
Libraries are Increasing Usage by Going Fine Free - a report from Information Today about the fine free trend in U.S. libraries and how it is increasing checkouts.
http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/NewsBreaks/Libraries-Are-Increasing-Usage-by-Going-FineFree-133407.asp
Are Fines Effective? - research conducted by librarians at Bowling Green State University about the efficacy of fines in getting students to return materials on time.
https://libguides.bgsu.edu/fine-research
Children and families
Removing Barriers to Access: Eliminating Library Fines and Fees on Children's Materials - a report from the Colorado State Library that presents a thorough overview of all of the research done on elimination of fines and borrowing behavior and how fines can adversely impact the borrowing behavior of families with children.
https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/removingbarrierstoaccess
The Case Against Library Fines - According to the Head of the New York Public Library - an opinion piece about how fines can disproportionately affect children in low income families.
https://qz.com/1158839/the-case-against-library-fines-according-to-the-head-of-the-new-york-public-library/
Equity and access
A Year After Denver Public Library Ended Late Fees, Patrons - and Their Books - are Returning - a report on Denver Public Library's decision to go fine free, one year later.
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/12/28/denver-public-library-late-fees-eliminated/
Extending Our Reach: Reducing Homelessness Through Library Engagement - a toolkit from the American Library Association with suggestions for ensuring equity and access to homeless patrons.
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/olos/toolkits/poorhomeless_FINAL.pdf
Library Late Fines are Not Helping Anyone - an opinion piece by a library professional working in a low income community, and how fines negatively impact her patrons.
https://bookriot.com/2017/05/30/library-late-fines-are-not-helping-anyone
General Information on Fine Free Libraries
Doing Fine(s)? | Fines and Fees - A report from Library Journal on a survey of 450 randomly selected libraries about fine policies and procedures, and the impacts of going fine free.
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=doing-fines-fines-fees
Long Overdue: Why Public Libraries are Finally Eliminating the Late-Return Fine - an article from Slate Magazine about the move towards eliminating fines in libraries across the U.S.
https://slate.com/culture/2017/02/librarians-are-realizing-that-overdue-fines-undercut-libraries-missions.html
The End of Overdue Fines? - an article about the experiences of the Vernon Area Public Library going fine free, and how that may translate to other libraries.
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/11/the-end-of-overdue-fines/