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BROOKLINE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — If you find yourself buried in books so often you forget to bring them back to the library, it's good news for you (and your wallet) in Brookline— though you should still aim to return them eventually.
Starting in July, the Public Library of Brookline ceased charging overdue fines on any borrowed materials, including books, DVDs, audiobooks, according to the announcement from Library Director Amanda Hirst and the Board of Library Trustees.
“I believe that libraries are at their best when we are promoting community engagement and lifelong learning. By eliminating overdue fines, the library is reducing barriers that often prevent people from utilizing library resources and services. I want to foster a culture of accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone in our community has equal opportunities to benefit from all that the Public Library of Brookline has to offer," Hirst said in a public statement.
The policy change comes amid a nationwide trend of libraries doing away with the overdue charges. In early July, the Salem Public Library announced it would be doing the same, with automatic renewals to those who need them.
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Still, the Brookline Public Library is urging readers to return books, movies, you name it, in a timely manner with phone reminders and notifications sent out regularly. On top of that, lost or damaged fines still apply, and readers who checked out materials from other libraries through Brookline in the Minutemen Network may still have to cough up cash for tardy returns.
So what does this mean for Brookline readers with active overdue fines on their accounts?
It's a clean slate— according to the BPL, all accrued fines related to overdue items have been waived, though "lost or damaged" charges will stick around.
Happy reading!
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