Even if you’ve accumulated hefty library fines, your neighborhood library might be willing to erase your balance.
When I was in my twenties, I checked out a book from the local public library, forgot to return it and eventually lost it over the following years. Terrified that I’d face hundreds of dollars in penalties, I avoided the Kansas City, Missouri library for several years.
In the meantime, I obtained library cards from nearby towns. Still, I missed borrowing books from the Kansas City Public Library right by my house. Eventually, I mustered the nerve to walk in, admit my mistake and apply for a new card.
“Don’t worry about it,” the librarian said with a shrug as he handed me my bright new piece of plastic. All that stress for nothing. Man, I wish dealing with credit card bills were that straightforward. Going a decade without using your favorite library is one way to dodge a large fine. Fortunately, there’s a better option.
Did you know that many libraries run fine forgiveness programs or amnesty events where you can return overdue items without paying? For instance, in 2017 the San Francisco Public Library accepted 699,000 items from 10,000 patrons and forgave more than $236,000 in fines during its six-week “We Want You Back” campaign.
It pays to check with your library about its fine-waiver policies. Here’s a look at some of the forgiveness programs out there.
Food for Fines
The Kansas City Public Library lets patrons receive $1 off overdue fines for each canned or boxed food item donated to community food bank Harvesters during Food for Fines week in October.
Your library might operate a similar initiative. Look for donation bins and flyers on bulletin boards to see if you can wipe out your debt while helping feed your neighbors.
No Questions Asked
The Miami-Dade Public Library System participates in Fine Forgiveness month every September. Simply return overdue books and other materials to have your fines cleared, “no questions asked.”
South Florida isn’t the only sunny place offering this program. Alameda County Library, based in Fremont, California, holds the same event in June, and your library might do it too.
It’s worth calling or stopping by the front desk on your next visit to ask if they host a Fine Forgiveness Month. You might even inspire them to start one.
Summer of Library Love
Speaking of Alameda County Library, staff there celebrated a “Summer of Library Love” in June and July with the tagline “Love breaks barriers. Don’t let fines keep us apart.” Patrons had their fines waived and received a “groovy Summer of Library Love” sticker.
You might not need to wait until next summer to have late fees removed. Check your library’s site to see if it’s running an amnesty program this winter.
Dead Week and Finals Week
Even colleges offer a reprieve to students with overdue loans. North Dakota State University allows students to return overdue items without facing fines during “dead week” and finals week. “We at the library are merciful,” proclaims the university library’s fine-forgiveness page. They’re not completely lenient, though: students get $1 off fines for each food donation to a local pantry or $5 off for every three items.
Most schools will withhold your diploma until borrowed materials are returned or fees are settled. If it’s your senior year and you have overdue items, talk to the librarian now.
Stuff Happens
In 2018, The Seattle Public Library broadened its Fresh Start fine forgiveness for teens program to include fees for lost items. “Things can happen,” said The Seattle Public Library Foundation CEO Jonna Ward in a news release about the expansion. “This program helps remove access barriers by giving young people a second chance.”
Public libraries nationwide are relaxing fines for children’s titles. Some let young patrons read their way out of debt, reducing $5.00 for every hour they read.
Since Seattle is forgiving teens’ fines, you may be able to return your children’s overdue books with less of a penalty. Call your library’s front desk to see if they offer a similar program.
Bring Us Your Lost, Your Damaged, Your Overdue
Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud, Minnesota, accepts unreturned materials “no matter how long it’s been or if they’ve been damaged” during Fines Forgiveness week.
April 9 to 14 is National Library Week, when many libraries across the country let patrons erase their debts. You’ve got six months to round up your overdue books and DVDs.
Blood Donations
You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, but you could get a pint or two from patrons who owed money to the West Florida Public Libraries in 2016. That year the Pensacola-area library waived up to $50 in fines for patrons who donated blood during its drive.
Donating blood for fine relief isn’t unique to West Florida. Libraries in Arizona and Connecticut also host Red Cross blood drives that include fine waivers.
Your library may not forgive as much as $50, but you won’t know until you ask.
Furry Forgiveness
The Natchitoches Parish Library in Natchitoches, Louisiana, allows patrons to donate cat and dog food to reduce fines by $2 per can and $5 per bag. Proceeds from “Kibbles and Books” in March supported the Natchitoches Humane Society.
Who knew that curling up with a great book every night could also help your forgiveness quota? When creative librarians brainstorm, there’s no limit to the quirky amnesty schemes they might invent.
Librarians understand that nobody’s flawless. Even President George Washington reportedly failed to return two books he borrowed in 1789 from the New York Society Library. Washington’s overdue fine today would be roughly $300,000, according to a piece about the presidential delinquent in The Guardian.
So, don’t follow George Washington’s example. Visit your local library’s website to see how you can live fine-free.
Deb Hipp is a freelance writer based in Kansas City, Missouri. She learned money lessons the hard way and now wants to help you pay down debt, improve your credit and stop living paycheck to paycheck. Deb’s personal finance and credit work has appeared on Credit Karma, Debt.com and HuffPost.
