The St. Louis area’s two largest library systems are now fine-free. St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library today announced they are no longer charging overdue fines on late materials beginning in the new year.
The official announcement was made this morning at the Central Library downtown, with St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, as well as library directors Kristen Sorth (SLCL) and Waller McGuire (SLPL) in attendance.
“Our libraries are among our greatest assets in St. Louis county and city,” declared Page. “I commend the two districts for coming together and opening the door to learning even wider by eliminating overdue fines.”
Krewson agreed, saying reading has the unique ability to inform, illuminate and inspire.
“It’s important that we make our great libraries as accessible as possible to the community. I am grateful to our two incredible library systems for collaborating together to do just that and go fine-free,” she said.
Eliminating fines will allow patrons greater access to all of the resources available at the library, including books, DVDs, online classes, eMedia and more. Cardholders will still be responsible for returning items and paying for any lost or damaged materials.
The board of trustees for both libraries approved the elimination of fines in December 2019. Revenue attributed to fines has fallen steadily in recent years. The boards decided on the change as a way of reducing barriers and increasing equity for library users.
Patrons at SLCL will still receive reminders to return materials. An email notice is sent two days before items are due. At that time, eligible items will be automatically renewed. Email notices for overdue items will be sent at several intervals prior to an item reaching 45 days overdue, at which time SLCL will bill the patron for the cost of the item. If a patron returns a billed item, no overdue charges will be assessed.
All SLPL customers will still receive notices when items are due; and again, if items are not returned. After 42 days, unreturned items will be considered lost, and customers will be responsible for those items.
SLCL and SLPL are joining a number of other library systems across the country in eliminating fines. Recently, Chicago Public Library became the largest library system to eliminate overdue fines.
To learn more about borrowing at St. Louis County Library, visit slcl.org. To learn more about borrowing at St. Louis Public Library, visit slpl.org.
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