Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated which library system in Arizona was the first to eliminate overdue fines.

Maricopa County is pardoning residents who have late fines at its 18 libraries and will no longer charge fines when books are returned past the due date.

Instead, 30 days after the due date, libraries will consider books lost and charge customers the cost of the book, according to the Maricopa County Library District.

But that cost will be waived if the book is returned, officials said.

The county hopes more people will use its libraries because they won't fear having to pay fines.

"No one should be kept from libraries because of overdue fines," Maricopa County Library District Director Cindy Kolaczynski said. "Collecting fines isn't a quick process. Our staff would much rather help customers explore and discover. Now is the perfect time to get or renew your library card and enjoy the library in person and online."

Fines disproportionately hurt children

Of the more than 136,000 active library customers in the Maricopa County library system,5% of accounts were blocked due to overdue fines, officials said.

Of those accounts, close to a third belonged to children.

Young people are "not in charge of their ability to get to the library," Library District Deputy Director Jeremy Reeder said, and shouldn't be cut off from borrowing books because their parents don't want to — or can't afford to — pay the fines.

The fines will be deleted in the next five days as the system is emptied.

The largest fine to be waived is $624, according to Reeder.

Maricopa County's decision is part of a growing movement across the country of local libraries waiving fines, Reeder said. Libraries from New York to Colorado to South Carolina have followed suit.

Maricopa County joins Coconino County and Flagstaff libraries to eliminate late penalties.

Officials encouraged city and school libraries across the state to join.

Cost to taxpayers

The county likely won't lose much money by waiving fines, officials said.

Less than 1% of the library district's budget, or about $300,000 per year, comes from overdue penalties, officials said.

Factoring in the costs to collect payments and the rise in digital items that auto-return on the due date, "it just makes sense to eliminate overdue fines," Kolaczynski said.

Many fines are never paid, according to Reeder.

"The individual just would probably have never come back to the library," he said.

The main funding for the library comes from a secondary property tax, which Reeder said may be adjusted to regain the $300,000 in funding.

Children and low-income families will benefit from the changes, the Maricopa CountyBoard of Supervisors said.

"Libraries are an important resource for children and adults to learn about and connect with their community and world," Board Chairman Bill Gates said in a statement. The decision gives "everyone a fresh start."

Maricopa County Libraries