The Addison Public Library will stop charging overdue fees to our taxpayers on November 1st!
Fines make up only .07% of our budget – a number that is dropping every year.
You support us with your taxes. We would like to make using the library a less stressful, more accessible experience for the entire community, no matter what a household’s financial circumstances.
Long ago, fines and charitable contributions allowed libraries to open, buy materials, and (sometimes) pay people to work in the library. Now libraries are a part of the tax structure for every house, apartment, and business in incorporated Addison. Fines are unnecessary!
This community has built a beautiful library, filled it with educational and entertaining materials, and employed knowledgeable, helpful staff. There should be as few barriers as possible to its use by all.
Addison Public Library is not the only library to go fines-free; at least six other Illinois libraries have stopped charging overdue fines as well. This New York Times article explains some of the reasons behind this movement.
People are still responsible for the items they check out. If items are kept longer than 14 days past the due date, the user account is blocked from any further use and the items are charged to that account at full replacement value. The account will remain blocked until the items are returned, in acceptable condition, or paid for.
We are very excited to be able to provide a fines free library for the Addison community. We hope to see even more guests coming through the front door to enjoy all that is on offer. Part of our strategic plan is to create a welcoming, accessible space. We feel that ditching overdue fees takes us one step closer to the goal.
Thank You!