No More Fines At Elmhurst Library

ELMHURST, IL — Afraid you'll end up having to pay those fines at Elmhurst Public Library? Worry no more. The days of fines at the local library are over.

Earlier this month, the library board decided to end fines, including those previously imposed.

Because of the pandemic, a lot of libraries went fine-free. That trend started in the suburbs about six years before, the library's director, Mary Beth Harper, told Patch in an interview.

At some point, if books and other materials go unreturned, the library will charge patrons for the items, Harper said. But patrons can wipe away those charges if they return the materials, she said.

Harper said the library would make a big announcement on the new policy when its back-end system is updated.

"The maintenance may take a few weeks, but, in the meantime, we will erase any fines that accumulate and will also erase fines that are currently in place," she said.

Harper said she wanted to remind the public that the library has ended its pandemic-related time limits for patrons.

"You can come in for as long as you want," she said.

Now, the library is resurfacing its parking lot, which should take four to five weeks, according to the library's website.