The Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) is now fine free for everyone!

In March 2015, NOPL announced that the library would stop charging overdue fines on materials for children and teens. Then, in 2020 NOPL announced eliminating overdue fines for all Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans. Next, in 2020, amid COVID, we suspended late fines for all cardholders.  At the July 2021 meeting, the NOPL Board of Trustees unanimously approved to eliminate late fees forever to ensure equitable access to library materials, which is our primary purpose as a public library.

Here you’ll find information about this new policy and how it affects you.

WHY GO FINE FREE?

It’s good for our community. Our community is stronger and healthier when people have access to the programs, services, and materials they need to pursue their educational, career, family, and life goals. We hope this will encourage prior users to come back to the library and attract new users to experience our offerings.

Late fines are not effective. Studies have shown that small fines have no impact on return rates. According to “Removing Barriers to Access,” a Colorado State Library whitepaper: “The scant research on the impact of library fines and fees does not indicate a clear benefit to administering these policies and may be costly to enforce.”

It’s fiscally responsible. Due to the rise in electronic materials (which do not accrue late fines) and other factors, fines are not a sustainable form of revenue for the library. Money collected from fines and fees has gone down steadily for the past ten years, especially with the advent of auto-renew.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

  • You will no longer receive a daily late fine on overdue items.
  • You are still responsible for returning your items. We do want all items back!
  • The library will send you reminders to return your items.
  • If you have overdue fines from other libraries in Onondaga County, you are still responsible for paying these at the library where these fines accrued. If you check out materials while visiting another library in Onondaga County, you could still be charged fines based on that library’s fine policy (some have fines, some do not).
  • If NOPL materials are not returned, you will be charged a replacement cost. Materials that are 30 days overdue are assumed lost and the replacement cost will be assessed to your card.  Borrowing privileges will be suspended until the overdue items are returned or paid for.
  • If you return the items, the replacement costs will be cleared from your account.
  • Replacement fees for lost or damaged items still apply to all library materials
  • At 14 days after your account reaches $100 in charges, your account will be sent to the UMS Collection agency. A $10 charge to cover collection costs will also be placed on your account. Please return your materials in a timely manner to prevent this from happening.

Fines are for overdue items. Fees are for library services and products such as library cards, copying, printing, material replacement costs, etc.

Reminders will continue to be sent to you just as they were before.

Notification Schedule

NOTICE METHODS WHEN
  Reminder   Email only   3 days before item is due
  Overdue   Patron preference   7 days overdue
  Overdue   Patron preference   14 days overdue
  Final Overdue   Patron preference   21 days overdue
  Bill   Patron preference   30 days overdue
Patron is billed for replacement and processing fees

“No fines” does not mean “no responsibility.” Materials that are 30 days overdue are assumed lost will be billed for the replacement costs; resulting in blocking the cardholder from further borrowing until charges are paid and /or materials are returned. If items are returned the replacement costs will be removed from the card.

Overdue fines on average make up less than one percent of the library budget.

Yes! Now and in the future, monetary donations can be made in person at any time in all three of our locations. Your donation is always appreciated and will support critical programs and services at NOPL.

Please note:

NOPL’s fine free program ONLY applies to NOPL cardholders that check out NOPL’s traditional materials from NOPL Branch Libraries. NOPL’s Unusual Items Collection, items borrowed from other Onondaga County libraries, and out-of-system interlibrary loan (ILL) items may incur late fines.