At their August 18, 2021 meeting, The Wayland Free Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to eliminate overdue fines. Effective immediately Wayland joins a growing national trend by removing overdue fines on most materials borrowed at the Wayland Free Public Library.
Why get rid of overdue fines?
- Eliminating fines helps close the opportunity gap: families and individuals with limited or fixed income depend upon the materials that libraries offer. Fines hinder library use.
- Fines do not accrue on e-books and e-audiobooks, which creates inequality between those who borrow digital materials and those who borrow physical materials. Digital borrowing has increased since becoming available and continues to increase.
- When fines disappear, library use goes up!
Many public libraries have already changed their policies and are now fine-free including libraries in: Andover, Arlington, Belmont, Chelmsford, Dover, Reading, Weymouth and Woburn. Outside Massachusetts, libraries in Albany, Baltimore, Denver, Nashville, and Salt Lake City have gone fine-free and have seen increases in circulation and patron registrations.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the fine free policy apply to everything?
No. Overdue fines will NOT be waived on:
– Equipment/Library of Things items
– Comcat/Worldcat interlibrary loan items non-Minuteman Library Network materials)
– Museum passes
What happens if I don’t return my library items?
The library will continue to issue date due notices as well as overdue notifications. After the final overdue notice, borrowers will receive a bill for the cost of the material by email or mail.
How does the library get people to return borrowed materials without charging fines?
“No overdue fines” does not mean “no responsibility.” Due dates still apply, and borrowers owe it to other library users to bring materials back in a timely manner. Borrowing privileges are suspended once a patron has a billed item in their account.
What if I return an item for which I’ve been billed?
The bill (replacement cost) is removed from the account.
Will I be charged overdue fines for items owned by other Minuteman Library Network libraries?
Overdue fines are based on the policies of the library where you physically check out the item. Items that are checked out at the Wayland Public Library will not accrue overdue fines, regardless of where the material came from within the Minuteman Library Network. If you go to another MLN library and check out an item—whether it’s from their collection or Wayland’s—the policies of that other town’s library apply, even if you return the item in Wayland. Fines are determined by check-out location, not return location.
I have always thought of paying my fines as a donation to the library. Can I still donate?Yes! You can support the library through donations or by joining and volunteering with the Friends of the Wayland Free Library.