Fine Freedom  @ BPL

Our goal is to ensure that our patrons enjoy access to our collections. Unfortunately, overdue fines can prevent patrons – especially children - from checking out our materials.

Checkout periods for materials will not change. (E.g., due dates printed on receipts and in My Account will remain the same.) However, if an item is not returned within 35 days of its due date, a block will be placed on the patron’s card, which will prevent them from checking out additional items. After 35 days, patrons who do not return items within this timeframe will be billed for the replacement cost. BPL will continue to charge for lost or damaged items.

Patrons with blocked accounts will not be able to check out any physical items until the return of their overdue materials or payment has been made. Patrons with blocked accounts can continue to check out eBooks, reserve meeting rooms, use our public computers and enjoy the library and its services.

Beginning July 1, 2017, BPL will no longer charge fines for overdue items.

No. Patrons will not see past fines disappear. BPL staff will be encouraged to use their best judgment in waiving individual fines as the need arises.