Hennepin County Library Ditches Late Fees

St. Louis Park MN

12 March, 2021

1:47 PM

Description

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — Hennepin County Library is doing away with fines in an effort to make its services more accessible to residents. In a news release, library director Chad Helton said the library reset every account to a $0 balance on March 10. Now, instead of instituting late fines, the library will charge patrons a one-time replacement cost for unreturned items after 41 days. "We don't fund our libraries based on the mistakes of others," Helton said. "Our purpose is to share information – not generate revenue." In a statement, Hennepin County commissioner Marion Greene said removing fines also removes barriers to education and resources. "The elimination of late fines from the Hennepin County Library system is a change that will reduce disparities and increase access to our collections," Greene said. "We know that fines and fees disproportionately affect low-income people and communities of color, and we are doing what we can to ensure that everyone is welcome to utilize our services regardless of their ability to pay."