No Joke — Worth Library Goes Fine Free April Fools Day

WORTH, IL — No, it’s not an April Fools' joke. Starting April 1, the Worth Public Library District will become fine free. Library trustees and staff hope the new policy will remove barriers for use and increase access to the library.

The Worth Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to make the Library fine free at their March 8 meeting. For many years, libraries used fines to encourage patrons to return borrowed items on time. Research shows fines have the exact opposite effect and prevent the timely return of library materials.

Librarians found fines can cause long-term feelings of shame, and disproportionately impact a library’s young, elderly, and/or financially disadvantaged patrons. By going fine free, the Worth library hopes it will make an immediate and impactful difference for the community.

As of April 1, any item checked out at the Worth Public Library District will not accumulate fines if it is overdue, regardless of where the item is returned. The only item to continue accruing fines will be the library hot spots.

If materials are not returned or renewed by their due date, after 14 days of an overdue item, a patron’s account will be placed on hold, and they will be unable to check out materials, place holds, or utilize online resources. Once overdue materials are returned, the hold is automatically removed and good standing status is restored.

Lost or damaged materials will still need to be paid for. Materials that are 42 days overdue are
assumed lost and the library will bill the patron for the replacement cost.

Worth joins neighbor libraries in Green Hills, Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Midlothian, and Palos Heights in becoming fine free and will continue to work to make the Worth library open to all and a place of refuge for many.