All NYC Libraries End Late Fines, Waive Old Fees

NEW YORK CITY — Don't let that $15 late fine keep you away from your local library — it's gone.

All three public library systems in New York City will eliminate late fines and waive outstanding debts for overdue books and other materials starting Tuesday.

The move makes the city — with the combined systems of New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library — the largest in the country to do away with late charges, library officials said.

Doing so will eliminate a barrier to access for low-income New Yorkers who disproportionately had the most blocked cards because of fines.

"They are an antiquated, ineffective way to encourage patrons to return their books; for those who can afford the fines, they are barely an incentive," said Anthony W. Marx, the president of New York Public Library, in a statement. "For those who can’t afford the fines— disproportionately low-income New Yorkers—they become a real barrier to access that we can no longer accept. This is a step towards a more equitable society, with more New Yorkers reading and using libraries, and we are proud to make it happen."

Late fines were a feature of libraries across the country — and one that librarians increasing thought undercut the notion of offering free access to knowledge.

New York City's libraries blocked patrons' cards if they had more than $15 in fines. That effectively locked out about 400,000 New Yorkers — of which more than half live in high-need communities — from their local libraries, officials said.

And it also forced young New Yorkers under 17 out — 30 percent of blocked accounts belonged to children and teens, according to a release.

Other major cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco have gone fine-free before New York City.

The three New York City systems have slightly differing rules, but all have eliminated late fines. Patrons will still have to pay replacement fees if a book or other material is out for longer than a month — however, if they return it that fee will be waived.

Cards can still be blocked if patrons accrue replacement fines, but still can access computers, e-books and other digital services, officials said.