Fine Free Policy

As members of the same community, we encourage patrons and staff to treat all library materials gently and respectfully, and to return them promptly, remembering that others want and deserve access to those materials.

SUMMARY
FINES: NO     FEES: YES
We do not charge fines on overdue items.
We DO charge fees for lost or damaged items.

The Whitehall Public Library does not charge fines on overdue materials checked out at our library, regardless of whether the items are owned by the Whitehall Public Library or another library. However, patrons will incur fees for lost and damaged items belonging to any library.

If a patron owes from fines before our fine free policy took place, we will forgive those fines. However, if a patron owes replacement costs for items before our fine free policy, we will not forgive those fees; patrons must pay to replace the items before any other items are check out.

Overdue notices are sent to patrons when items are one week overdue, and again when items are two weeks overdue. Library materials checked out from our library are considered lost when they are three weeks overdue, at which time patrons will receive a bill. Patrons will not be allowed to check out more items until the lost items are returned or the replacement fees paid.

If the lost items are returned before replacements have been purchased, the fees on items belonging to the Whitehall Public Library will be waived. If the items have already been replaced, we will not waive the fees.

Patrons will be charged a replacement fee for a damaged item when its condition is such that it cannot be placed back on library shelves for others to use. The librarian determines if the item needs to be replaced. There is no fee for items that have simply worn out with use. If the value of the damaged items is $10 or more, patrons may not check out until the fee is paid.

While fines can be waived, as explained above, fees are waived only in special circumstances. Patrons who wish to request that item fees be waived should talk with the librarian at the owning location.

Adopted by the Whitehall Public Library Board of Trustees 2/1/2019