The Library has made a change that is … ahem, long overdue.



As of Monday, July 1, 2019, the Kansas City Public Library no longer charges fines for overdue books and other materials. Additionally, existing overdue fines have been erased from all Library cardholder accounts, giving everyone a clean slate. Going forward, any overdue materials will fall under the Library’s new Freedom from Fines policy.



So what does this mean?

No more daily late fines charged on overdue items.

Existing overdue fines have already been cleared from all accounts , giving everyone a fresh start.

, giving everyone a fresh start. No more fine-related restrictions on use of public computers or access to digital materials (such as eBooks, digital audiobooks, and online databases), even for people who may have accumulated substantial amounts in fees.



Library Director Crosby Kemper III addresses the press and Library guests during the Freedom from Fines announcement program. The Library announced its new Freedom from Fines policy at its Southeast Branch.



The move, recommended by Kemper and approved by the Library’s board of trustees, reinforces the Library’s mission of providing access to knowledge for all. Late fines, no matter how small, can become a very real burden to some patrons and discourage them from coming into the Library. Removing those obstacles aims to encourage them to return and make the most of every resource the Library has to offer.



While the Library has eliminated overdue fees, borrowed materials still have due dates. Any item not returned 14 days after its due date is considered lost, subjecting the borrower to fees for lost materials. However, once any item considered lost is found and returned, those fees are erased and the patron will owe nothing. Fees for damaged materials also remain in place.



Eliminating late fines gives the people of Kansas City greater access to information and opportunity. Freedom from Fines frees everyone to pursue their educational, career, and personal goals at the Library.



“We’re doing it for one essential reason,” says Library Director“Fines – in particular, for low-income families – are a barrier to using the Library, and we want to remove that barrier and encourage everyone to use the Library.”



Get the details on Freedom from Fines

Borrowing Library materials | Lost and damaged materials

