The Keyport Free Public is going fine free!

The Library Board Trustees of the Keyport Free Public Library have voted to make the Library fine free beginning on Sept. 1, 2022.

What exactly does that mean and how will it work?

Keyport library items will no longer accrue fines regardless of who borrows them, except for special collections such as museum passes.

• Cardholders can visit the circulation desk to have existing fines for Keyport Library items waived. 

• Cardholders are still responsible for fines on non-Keyport Library items.  Fines can accrue from items borrowed in person at other LMxAC libraries, as well as items borrowed that were requested from another library. These items will accrue fines according to the policy of the owning library.

• Cardholders are still responsible for replacement costs for damaged and lost items.

• Cardholders will not be able to check out items if:

  1. They owe a replacement cost for a damaged or lost item

  2. They owe over $5 in fines

  3. They have not yet returned an overdue item*

*Borrowed materials will auto-renew if eligible. If items borrowed are out of renewals, or if they fulfill holds for other patrons, the items will not auto-renew and must be returned as soon as possible. If items are not eligible for renewal and are still borrowed past the return date, patrons will need to return the items before they can borrow any additional materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the library eliminating fines?

The Director and Trustees agree that the library’s mission is to connect people to information, resources, and programs. Eliminating overdue fines furthers the mission of providing free and open access by removing barriers to the library’s resources. Increasing access to the library benefits the entire community.

Doesn’t this mean that people will borrow items and never return them?

Libraries that have adopted fine-free policies have found that the vast majority of patrons are responsible about returning materials within a reasonable time frame without the threat of fines. Studies have shown that small fines have no impact on return rates, but rather once a patron has accrued a fine on their account, they are less likely to visit the library again. Fine-free policies do not affect the return rates of materials, and library usership actually increases with the removal of fines.

Will existing fines be waived for Keyport Library Cardholders?

Yes. If a Keyport Library Card Holder has fines on Keyport materials, starting Sept. 1, 2022, those fines will be waived.

Will existing fines be waived for non-Keyport Library Cardholders?

No.

Will Cardholders still have to pay for lost or damaged books?

Yes. The library will charge cardholders for books that are returned damaged or overdue for more than 90 days.

Wait, I considered my fines a donation. Can I still donate to the Library?

Yes! Contact the Library Director to make a donation.