McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg
Overdue library book?
With Dauphin County Library System’s new fine-free policy, you don’t need to sweat it.
The system announced on Wednesday that it would continue its no-late-fee policy, which it began at the beginning of the pandemic, in an effort to remove a barrier to access.
“Our number-one mission is to serve our community by connecting people with the knowledge and resources they need,” said Karen Cullings, the library system’s executive director, in a statement. “Unfortunately, libraries have found that late fees and fines end up being roadblocks to those who need our services the most.”
Dauphin County joins a growing number of libraries statewide and nationally that are eliminating late fees.
According to Cullings, fees often affect lower-income residents. She cited the Memphis Public Library as an example, which decided to go fine-free after research showed that households making less than $25,000 held 33% of the unpaid fines.
To continue encouraging responsible borrowing, if a member has over what would have been $10 in fines, the library will not allow them to check out materials or borrow laptops, access online e-books, audio books and music or reserve meeting rooms.
Additionally, if an item is not returned within 48 days from the due date, members will receive a bill and be required to pay a replacement fee. The account will be forwarded to a collection agency for those with unpaid balances of $45 or more. People can return items up to a year after the billing date to have replacement charges waived.
Members can also receive five renewals on an item if there are no hold requests.
“With our new “fine-free” policy, we want to remove any roadblocks while encouraging members to use our resources responsibly,” Cullings said.
According to Cullings, the late fees do not make up a large part of the library’s budget. However, they are asking community members to “pay it forward” and donate to support the new policy.
“We hope that many in the community will help us ease the burden on those who may have overdue books but fear returning to the library because they can’t pay the fines,” Cullings said. “Members who return an item late and no longer have to pay a fine can pay it forward by donating to help us continue the policy.’’
For more information or to donate, visit the Dauphin County Library System’s website.
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