As of June 1, 2021, Naperville Public Library has joined hundreds of libraries across the country in eliminating overdue fines!
What does eliminating overdue fines mean?
Naperville Public Library is no longer charging fines for overdue items. Those who do not return materials on time will have their accounts locked after seven days rather than accruing fines. Once an overdue item is returned, the account will be unlocked. See below for details.
Why are you removing overdue fines?
By eliminating overdue fines, we hope to share our collection and services with more of our community members, focusing on access and equity, and helping to ease financial hardship for our customers. This new policy will allow for:
Increased flexibility for our customers.
Equitable access to resources.
Better customer service.
A continued commitment to responsibly utilizing Library resources.
How does it work?
Your account will be locked, and you will no longer be able to check out materials. Your account will be unlocked automatically once your overdue item is checked in. No fines will be assessed.
A billed replacement fee will be added to your account. This fee will be removed if the item is returned in proper condition up to 119 days past the item’s due date.
The item is no longer eligible for return or refund. At this point, we will have likely replaced it in our collection. You now own that material.
Please note: Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan may be subject to the lending library's fine schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A courtesy notice will be sent two days before the due date.
- A 1st overdue notice will be sent one day after the due date.
- A 2nd overdue notice will be sent five days after the due date.
- A notification that your account has been locked will be sent seven days after the due date.
- Once an item is 45 days overdue, a billed replacement fee will be added to the account.
- At 60 days overdue, if charges are over $50, the account will be referred to our recovery agency, and an additional $10 fee will be added to the account.
Research and recent experience from libraries that have eliminated fines show that overdue fines typically do not affect how quickly people return materials. Many times libraries report better return rates because of the elimination of overdue fines.
Yes! All previous overdue fines have been waived. However, customers are still responsible for money owed for lost or damaged materials.
The Library is eliminating overdue fines, which is the amount charged for each day an item is overdue. Fees will still be collected for items that are 45 days or more overdue, lost or damaged.
No. The Library does not depend on revenue from fines and does not need overdue fines to maintain a healthy, responsible budget.
Customers are still responsible to pay a fee for damaged or lost materials.
Refunds will be issued up to 119 days past an item’s due date. Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan may not be eligible for refunds.
You always hold the key to your account being unlocked. Return your items on time to continue to access the Library’s resources. Log into your account and watch your email to be reminded of your due dates!
Help ensure other community members can enjoy library resources by returning your materials on time!