Cranston Library Eliminates Book Fines

CRANSTON, RI — Leave your pocket change at home: Cranston Library is doing away with late fees. Print books, audiobooks and periodicals will no longer accrue fees for a late return.

The decision was unanimously approved by the library's Board of Trustees during January's budget process.

DVDs, CDs and other special collections will continue to accrue late fees. This includes the Express Collection located at the Central Library.

In a statement, library officials said the policy change is an effort to increase access to the library. Two years ago, the library removed late fees for children's and teen materials.

"The Cranston Public Library believes in equitable access to our collection and wants to encourage patrons to use our books without fear of accruing late fees," the statement read in part.

The move is becoming a national trend, with several major cities including Boston, Baltimore and San Diego taking similar steps.

This is a continuation of the library’s efforts to remove barriers that began two years ago when we removed all fines for children’s and teen materials. Elimination of fines has been a growing national trend with major library systems in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, and San Diego eliminating them in the past two years.

"We thank the Library Board of Trustees, Mayor Fung, and the Cranston City Council for their support of our efforts to make the library more accessible," said Edward Garcia, the library director. "This is something we have been working towards for the past few years. It is even more important now during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many in our community have lost their jobs and have been adversely affected economically."

Patrons are still asked to return their books in a timely manner. The new policy only applies to items owned by Cranston Library — anything ordered from another facility will still accrue fines based on the policy of their home library. Anyone with an overdue book will not be allowed to check out more items until it is returned. Anyone who loses or damages an item will be required to pay for a replacement.