LI Library Waives Overdue Fees To Start 2021

NORTH BELLMORE, NY —While 2021 has been another difficult year with the pandemic, the North Bellmore Public Library is beginning 2022 on a good note.

The library is erasing all outstanding fine balances and replacement fees on North Bellmore patron cards.

Starting with the New Year, everyone gets a clean slate.

They will also waive overdue fines for library materials, excluding museum passes and Library of Things items.

"Numerous studies have been published showing that fines are a barrier of access to people and that fines don’t actually encourage people to return materials on time," North Bellmore library director Jessica Tymecki said. "We believe fines contravene our mission, and the elimination of library fines will help remove a barrier to library usage."

Although all overdue fees are eliminated, the fine-free system does not apply to lost or damaged materials. Patrons will be charged those fees.

Tymecki hopes scrubbing owed fees will encourage more visitors "without fear of fees."