Libraries Become Fine-Free In July In Prince William County

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Prince William Public Libraries will go fine-free starting on July 1, 2021. Patrons will still be responsible for paying for lost or stolen items, but all fines and fees will be removed from accounts after past-due items are returned.

The library system said that the change intends to remove barriers to accessing the library's services. In a news release, officials noted that fines most affect people with limited resources.

Deborah Wright is the director of the Prince William Public Libraries. "By removing overdue fines, other libraries throughout the country have noticed that patrons are returning their overdue items at an increased rate," she said. "More patrons are reengaging with their libraries."

According to the Urban Libraries Council, more than 280 library systems across the country have already pivoted to a fine-free system. In northern Virginia, the Loudoun County Public Library and Arlington County Public Library are already fine-free.

Prince William County's libraries originally removed fines in March 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In November 2020, the library system's leadership decided not to re-implement fines for people under the age of 18. In their news release, the library system said that the data showed "the benefits far outweighed the small amount of revenue received from late fees."

"We want to continue to be a welcoming, inclusive environment and we can only do so by making changes that better our patrons’ experiences," Wright said. "Our vision of being the hub connecting people to the transforming power of information is becoming a reality by taking steps like removing fines, offering mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for patrons."