Library Goes Fine Free
The Garwood Public Library has announced that effective January 1, 2022, it has stopped charging fines on overdue books.
Garwood Public Library is not the first to go fine-free. Many large metropolitan libraries throughout the country have eliminated fines including New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles County, and Chicago Public Libraries. In New Jersey, Jersey City, Newark, Princeton, Toms River, and Hoboken are a few of the libraries that have eliminated fines. In Union County, Plainfield, Roselle, Scotch Plains, Union, and Westfield Public Libraries have all gone fine-free.
The Garwood Library Board feels its decision to go fine-free is in line with the library’s goal of providing free and equitable access to its information, resources, and services. It is also a decision in step with the American Libraries Association 2019 resolution on fines. The Board hopes that a fine-free library will encourage library use and create a more welcoming environment for its patrons.
The library will continue to assess charges for the following items: Lost and Damaged Material, Overdue Interlibrary Loan Material. Museum Passes, Technology Devices, and Resource Kits.
Failure to return library materials in a timely fashion will still result in suspension of library privileges.
For more information on library services or to register for programs, check out the library’s website at youseemore.com/Garwood, call 908-789-1670, or email the library at garwoodlibrary@garwood.org.
