We have an exciting announcement to share with you. Effective September 16, 2019, San Francisco Public Library has eliminated overdue fines for all Library patrons. This move ensures that our public library is living up to its commitment to provide free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse community.

Also effective today, all outstanding overdue fines will be cleared from all patron records. No exceptions, no questions. You are fabulously fine free.

Any items checked out starting today that are eligible for renewal will be automatically renewed for you. For more information on the auto renewal process, visit sfpl.org/autorenew.

The Library encourages patrons to return books in a responsible and timely fashion to the Library so others may enjoy our shared resources.

Why did the Library decide to eliminate overdue fines?

The San Francisco Public Library was a pioneer in the fine free library movement. SFPL eliminated fines for children and teens in 1974. In recent years, inspired by other library systems that had eliminated fines for overdue materials for patrons of all ages, the Library partnered with the San Francisco Financial Justice Project of the Treasurer’s Office to study whether SFPL should go fine free. See the full Eliminating Fines report (PDF) on the findings of this study .

The study found that the elimination of overdue fines in libraries had several positive outcomes:

Increased patron access to materials and services

Reduction of the inequitable impact of overdue fines

Improved patron relationships with their library

Optimization of library staff time and increased staff efficiency

Additionally, research shows overdue fines do not ensure borrowed materials end up back on shelves.

Are other Libraries Fine Free?

The fine free movement has taken on momentum across the nation. The Urban Libraries Council map shows other fine free libraries.

What if I misplaced a book and can’t return it? Did the San Francisco Public Library eliminate replacement fees?

While the Library eliminated overdue fines, Library users are still responsible for fees associated with the replacement of lost or damaged books and other materials they check out.

Under this new policy, it is important to understand the difference between overdue fines and billed-item fees. Overdue fines are the daily charges applied to items not returned by their specified due date. These are the fines that will no longer be charged to patrons. Billed-item fees, or just fees, represent the charges applied for lost, damaged, or unreturned materials and are still in effect.

San Francisco Public Library, even more fabulous than before. From all of us here at the Library, we thank you for your continued patronage and support.