No More Late Fees At Library

Patrons of the Portage Lake District Library (PLDL) can borrow books, movies, music and more without accruing overdue fines beginning July 1. It is a change that should increase patrons’ access to the fifty thousand-plus materials they can borrow from PLDL with their library cards.

“Research shows that overdue fines in libraries act as a barrier to access for many patrons and can prevent children and families from making use of vital educational resources,” said Library Director Dillon Geshel. “Overdue fines penalize patrons for their love of reading, and that is not in line with our commitment to the development of early literacy skills and school readiness in children.”

Research has found that late fees do not influence borrowing behavior. Public libraries that have eliminated overdue fines see no significant difference in late returns of library materials.

“Other libraries that have adopted similar fine-free policies see a telling increase in their circulation of library materials, especially children’s books,” said Geshel. “Without the threat of fines, families are more likely to take books and other materials home.

Until now, if patrons owed $3 or more in overdue fines, use of their library cards would be blocked. The library will still charge patrons fees for lost, missing, or damaged items.

For more information, please call the library at 482-4570.