overdue fines

“A Huge Load Off My Shoulders”: 5 Fine-Free Years, Part 1

February 6, 2025

Five years ago, the Library eliminated overdue fines, a change that was overwhelmingly approved by Seattle voters when they voted in the 2019 levy (thank you!). We also forgave all outstanding fines to give as many people as possible a fresh start. We made this change because decades of research, as well as our daily… Continue reading
After dispensing with fines, Seattle Public Library dispenses with fine dispensers.

April 1, 2023

Back on January 2, 2020, joining a movement being embraced by many public libraries across the country, the Seattle Public Library decided to end its longheld practice of charging late fees for items returned after their due dates. The move has been a rousing success, restoring access to many Seattlites for whom excessive late fees… Continue reading

“A Huge Load Off My Shoulders”: 5 Fine-Free Years, Part 1