Going fine-free: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library ditches late fees

CHARLOTTE — Did you forget to return that library book from a few years ago? You’re in luck, because the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is doing away with its late fines.

Starting Thursday, the public library will no longer be charging any fines for late or overdue materials. It will also be offering one-time amnesty to all library cardholders, which will remove any existing holds from their accounts and return them to a $0 balance.

There are currently more than 150,000 cardholders who carry a balance of $10 or more, which suspends them from using library resources. In a statement on its website, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library said it believes it is their duty to provide equitable access to resources for the entire community and fines prohibit that.

Previously, the library was charging 25 cents per day, per item for any materials that were past due.

According to the library’s website, it will still be charging fees for InterLibrary Loan materials, non-resident library cards, photocopies, printing, meeting room rentals and lost items. It will also continue to charge a replacement fee for severely damaged items. If a customer reaches a balance of $10, the account will be suspended until they return their materials or pay the fee.

The library still asks that anyone who has any overdue materials to please return them. If an item is overdue by two weeks, the borrower will be blocked from checking out any other materials until they return their missing item.

To learn more about the library going fine free, click here.

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