Ticketed for speeding? The fine helps fuel county’s libraries

OTTAWA COUNTY — If you’re caught speeding in Ottawa County, a portion of your fine goes toward local libraries.

While several states distribute a portion of revenue collected from penal fines and civil infractions to public libraries, Michigan is the only state where it’s constitutionally mandated.

From July 2024 to June 2025, Ottawa County’s nine libraries collected a total of $682,556.24 in penal fines.

The amount of money allocated to each library is determined by the number of residents a location serves. This past fiscal year, Holland’s Herrick District Library, assisting over 87,000 residents, collected the most in fines — $202,262.01. Serving some 9,000 individuals, the county’s lowest number, Patmos Library in Hudsonville received $22,191.14.

Michigan’s Constitution, adopted in 1835, mandated that penal fines be distributed to local libraries. This legal provision has been in place and reaffirmed since its authorization. 

Ottawa County Treasurer Cheryl Clark said the Library of Michigan assists the local Treasurer’s Office by certifying the number of residents each library serves, based on the most recent census.

“The penal fine revenue is distributed on a per-capita rate, which is calculated by dividing total fines collected and earned interest amount by the total certified population of the county,” Clark said. “The County Treasurer is required by law to distribute this revenue to each public library by Aug. 1 of each year.”

Clark emphasized that only part of a fine’s revenue is given to libraries. The portion is dependent on the type of ticket assigned by a judge. In addition to the portion allocated to libraries, penal fines cover court costs and statutory fees. 

Since July 2020, the amount of money given to the county’s libraries has decreased due to the number of citations. In recent years, distribution has typically ranged from $700,000 to $800,000.

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Director of Herrick District Library Diane Kooiker said despite the decrease over time in penal funding, the library is still grateful to receive it. She said approximately 2.2% of the library’s budget comes from penal funds.

“Penal funds are included in our annual budgeting process as projected revenue,” Kooiker said. “(They) contribute to the library’s general budget, helping Herrick District Library pay for material, operations and personnel.”

She believes it’s important that a portion of penal funds go toward libraries, and that by helping fuel public libraries, community members can continue to grow in their education.

“Authors (of the) Michigan Constitution had the wisdom to decide those who impose penal fines should not be the recipients of penal funds,” Kooiker said. 

Kooiker explained that since libraries provide education to all people, they have the capability to further educate those violating a range of penal laws and civil infractions, and may help change their circumstances.

— Contact ONN reporter Hailey Hentz at hhentz@ottawanewsnetwork.org.