In our efforts to increase equity of access within our community, Derby Public Library is proud to announce that it has officially gone Fine Free. We will no longer charge overdue fines on most Derby Public Library items.
Will everything be fine-free?
There will be no overdue fines for most items. However, fines will be charged on overdue museum passes and technology equipment.
You are still responsible for paying overdue fines to other libraries that charge them. If you check out or renew items while visiting another library in the Bibliomation consortium, you could still be charged fines based on that library’s fine policy.
Won’t people just check things out and never return them?
“No fines” does not mean “no responsibility”. If your item is overdue for more than 4 weeks, then the item will be assumed lost and you will be charged the full replacement cost of the item. Your card privileges will be suspended until you return the item or pay the replacement cost.
Don’t overdue fines encourage people to return items on time?
There is no evidence that shows this to be true. In fact, when the Chicago Public Library eliminated overdue fines in 2019, they saw a 240% increase in the number of items returned. Also, if library fines worked the way they were intended, revenue would be $0 because all materials would be returned on time!
