City Of South San Francisco: No More Overdue Fines!

Press release from the City of South San Francisco:

09/11/2021 10:00 AM

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, so we’re taking this chance to let you know about a little something we’ve been working on, which went into effect a few weeks ago... South San Francisco Public Library is finally fine free! 

If you return any of our items (books, DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, etc.) after the due date, you won’t be charged overdue fines, and past overdue fines for South San Francisco items have been removed!

During our building closure, we stopped charging late fines, and we know that even though we’ve opened our doors once again, some of you may not be able to make it to the library on a regular basis.  

Overdue fines on library items are a barrier to library use for lower-income residents, while doing little to encourage the prompt return of borrowed items. 

All library items still have the same due dates, but you will not see fines on South San Francisco items even if returned late. We also offer auto-renewal for items with no holds, up to five times. 

FAQ: 

What happens if my book is overdue? 

You will still receive overdue notices in your email or by phone, but you will not be charged late fines for South San Francisco items. 

Which libraries in Peninsula Library System are fine free? 

An increasing number of libraries are going fine free. Currently, items owned by Daly City and City of San Mateo libraries incur overdue fines. 

What if I lost something? Are there fees then? 

Yes. All libraries in the Peninsula Library System still charge for missing items. The fee is the list price of the item, plus a processing fee. This will be added to your account if you report the item missing, or when thirty days have passed since the due date without returning an item borrowed for three weeks (seven days for an item on seven-day loan). You may receive a letter in the mail informing you of the fee but fear not—there is no rush to pay. 

If you return the item, the replacement fee will be removed. 

What if there are fines on my card? 

If you have more than $25 in unpaid fines, you cannot check out physical items until your balance goes under $25. You can still use library computers and electronic resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video. If paying your fines is a hardship for you, please contact the library that owns the item—they may be able to help. 

Has there been any research into the effects of late fines? 

Yes! NPR has a nice overview: More Public Libraries Are Eliminating Late Fines To Address Inequity. And here’s Lawrence Public Library (KS)’s explanation of why they went fine free

In short, late fines create a significant barrier for many patrons, resulting in some staying away from their local library for years, without encouraging prompt returns. Libraries that have gone fine free see little effect on return rates. 

This press release was produced by the City of South San Francisco. The views expressed here are the author’s own.