Did you know BCLS is fine free? That means overdue fines for most library items, including books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, movies, video games and technology-on-loan do not accrue overdue fines. We want you to read more and worry less, so if you keep a book out for longer than its due date, you won't see daily fines on your account.
However, we encourage you to be courteous to your fellow library user and return your items on time**. Others may be waiting to borrow them and we want to make sure they enjoy library materials as much as you do!
Studies show small fines do not encourage the timely return of items, and customers facing fines are more likely to never return to the library. Instead, eliminating overdue fines promotes equity and underscores our commitment to serving all residents by removing a barrier to our critical services.
In addition to the elimination of overdue fines, we also forgive past overdue fines. This ensures all accounts start with the same clean slate!
As always, we continue to strive to make our library services accessible, inclusive and equitable and feel this helps us adhere to that path.
How It Works
- Item is borrowed and a due date is established.
- If there are no holds, the item is renewed automatically, establishing a new due date after each renewal.
- Item reaches the maximum number of auto-renewals (this varies by item) and enters a 7-day grace period.
- At end of the grace period, the item is set to “lost” status and a replacement fee is added to the account.
- Account-holder is ineligible to borrow items until the outstanding item is returned or the lost fee is paid.
*Overdue fines will continue to accrue for select library items, such as Museum Passes, Borrow-A-Book-Club sets, Interlibrary Loan items and Classroom Kits.
**Accounts with unreturned items that go into a lost status will be locked until the items are returned or replacement fees are paid. Cardholders will be unable to borrow more items or download books or magazines in Overdrive/Libby.