The Chattanooga Public Library is getting rid of late fines as of Monday for most of its materials.
Previously charged late fines have been removed from all library accounts, and the library is offering a forgiveness program until June 30. Anyone with unreturned, overdue books or other materials from the library can bring them back to have fines or lost item fees wiped from their accounts, regardless of the condition of the materials.
People who borrow materials will still get overdue notices but won’t be charged a daily fine after a return date has passed. There will still be a replacement cost for items not returned or renewed within 45 days, but the cost will be waived if the items are returned within a year of the original due date.
“In many ways, we are catching up with the fine-free trend,” Will O’Hearn, library executive director, said in a press release. “Research has shown for years that eliminating overdue fines does not negatively impact libraries.”
Libraries that go fine-free see an increase in library users, checkouts and the number of materials returned, O’Hearn said. The library gets support from its Chattanooga Public Library Foundation to solicit donations and get grants, and it will likely raise additional funds to cover costs, O’Hearn said.
The Chattanooga Public Library’s website says the funding it receives from overdue fines was a “small fraction” of the library’s budget.
“That’s mighty fine to me,” O’Hearn said in the press release.
There are a few exceptions to the new policy. A dollar-a-day fine will still apply to several of the library’s Beyond Books collection — materials available for rent other than books. That includes hiking, camping and sports gear, as well as passes to places like the Chattanooga Zoo and the Hunter Museum of American Art. Overdue returns on telescopes, tools and toys will also incur fines.
— Compiled by Siena Duncan