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1. What does this mean for me?

If you need a few extra days to finish a book or if you can’t make it back by the due date to return it, don’t worry-those daily fines have gone away. Do you have an item you’ve been hesitant to bring back because it’s long overdue? Bring it in! All Burlington Public Library items returned in good condition will not have overdue fines, regardless of the due date. As always, we are happy to accept your donations to the Burlington Food Pantry if you’re feeling guilty for returning an item late.

2. Why get rid of fines?

Fines keep people away from the library. When we started looking at reasons why people didn’t use the library, owing money was consistently mentioned. By removing this barrier, we will help build a stronger community, improve literacy and educational attainment, and bring more people into the library. We want you to be able to enjoy events, access services, and expand your personal curiosity about people, places, and things.

3. Will I ever be charged anything?

Lost, damaged, and never returned items are still subject to replacement fees. Certain items such as Museum Passes will continue to have fines associated with them. Items borrowed at other consortium libraries but returned here will still be fined according to the borrowing library’s fine structure. Those with lost bills, damaged item fees, or fines from other libraries of more than $20 will be blocked from checking out more items until the items are returned, or the charges are paid.

4. Will I still get overdue notices from the library?

Yes, you will receive a courtesy notice three days before the item is due and a notice that it is overdue at 7 and 14 days past its due date. Items not returned within 49 days of the due date will be marked as lost and you will receive a billing notice for the replacement fee.