St. Charles Public Library To Nix Fines

ST. CHARLES, IL — St. Charles Public Library goers will no longer be fined for overdue materials starting in July.

During a May 11 meeting, the St. Charles Library Board voted in favor of a new policy that would nix the fine policy starting on July 1, according to the Kane County Chronicle. The library joins several others in the area that have dropped fines on items. The new policy does not include lost or damaged materials.

The decision by the library board came following a presentation by library circulation services manager Jasmina Lapo who said 8,685 St. Charles library patrons currently have fines, with more than 500 currently blocked from using library services because they have more than $10 in fines. Since 1996, more than $54,000 in overdue fines have not been paid, and Lapo, speaking in support of dropping fines during the May meeting, told the board it's unlikely the library will ever see that money.

“People who end up having fines feel ashamed,” she said. “Patrons will still be encouraged to return materials in a responsible and timely manner, but they will no longer be charged daily overdue fines on most items."

More via the Kane County Chronicle