Have you heard the news? Chillicothe Public Library is fine free! When COVID hit back in 2020, the library opted to make life a little easier by doing away with overdue fines. Then in January of 2021, the library board of trustees approved the motion to make this change permanent. The origin behind the fine-free movement was to remove the “penalty” stigma that late fees evoke: a feeling that some say prevented them from using the library, and a feeling that librarians say went against their core values.

   

While fines for items returned past their due dates is a thing of the past, there are still incentives to return items. For example, if an item has been overdue long enough, it will be marked as “lost,” which will require the item to either be returned or paid for. Additionally, fees to repair or replace a damaged item are still the responsibility of the borrower.

   

But now there’s no need to worry if your items are a little late, for any reason. That said, the library encourages customers to be considerate of the fact that someone may be waiting for the item that they have, and return things on time.