New Hanover County Public Library Ends Overdue Fines

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, North Carolina – Effective July 1, the New Hanover County Public Library System eliminated fines for late books and materials, including all past, present, and future instances of late returns.

“Removing the financial barrier of overdue fines ensures that community members have equitable access to library resources and services,” said Library Director Paige Owens. “Going well for free helps remove barriers to library use that disproportionately impact low-income households. Now is the perfect time for residents to return to the library or visit us for the first time to take advantage of our wide range of resources and programs. »

Although late fines are no longer charged, library patrons are still encouraged to return materials in a timely manner so that others can take advantage of these shared resources. If an item is 8 weeks late, the material is considered lost and a replacement charge will be applied to the cardholder’s account. If lost items are returned to the library, the account will be cleared of all replacement charges.

For more information about the New Hanover County Public Library system, click here.

« Back to news overview