Book Overdue? South Brunswick Library Plans To End Fines

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Library fines have a way of creeping up on you. But many local libraries across the United States have ended all kinds of fines. And very soon, the South Brunswick Public Library will be doing the same.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilwoman Jo Hochman told community members that the library will do away with its system of fines later this year.

“We are going to go fine free. As other libraries in our immediate area do not charge people fines, South Brunswick will be following that same procedure,” Hochman said.

As to when this new system will be in place, Hochman gave a tentative timeline of April.

“Make sure you return your books because you’ll still get a fine, but probably after April we won’t be having fines,” Hochman said.

Though the library plans to eliminate fines, it does not mean books can be kept indefinitely. The details of that are still being worked on.

Originally seen as a source of revenue, many librarians began questioning the policy of overdue fines, as it would often disproportionately affect low-income families, according to a report by NPR.

A 2016 report by the Colorado State Library System showed that removing overdue fines removed barriers to access for children and low-income parents.

To some, library fines may seem a small irritant, but they could drive others away from the library.

Public libraries in major cities like New York, Seattle and Chicago have done away with fines.

In New Jersey, public libraries in Jersey City, Montclair, Red Bank and Bloomfield among others have eliminated the system of imposing fines.

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