Phoenix Public Library Starts Waiving Overdue Fines

By Bret Jaspers
Published: Monday, November 18, 2019 - 10:49am
Updated: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 - 8:52am

burton barr library
Christina Estes/KJZZ
Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix.

Phoenix Public Library said it forgave overdue library fines Monday.

But you’re not totally off the hook. 

If you have a book that’s more than 51 days late, you will get a bill for the replacement fee. But you could still return the item and that fee would go away.

Phoenix announced the no-fine policy in September, saying it’s the first of the country’s five largest cities to do so. 

The city said research shows overdue fines don’t affect whether or not something gets returned on time. It’s trying to avoid discouraging borrowers from checking books out, especially lower-income borrowers.

People will still get charged for lost or damaged items. 

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