Beginning Oct. 1, the Nampa Public Library is eliminating all fines for overdue items and all current overdue fines on patron accounts will be forgiven. With this, we will be erasing one of the most prevalent barriers to access and inviting patrons back to the library.In addition, checked out items will automatically be renewed up to two times if the item does not have a patron hold or reservation on it (most books renew two times, most media renews once, magazines and hot titles do not renew).
Currently, over 13k of the 58k Nampa Library accounts have overdue fines on them, and almost 3k of those accounts are blocked and cannot be used. “Eliminating fines is a national trend that we want to follow because it will increase patron access, reduce inequitable impact of overdue fines, increase staff efficiencies and improve patron relations,” said Claire Connley, Nampa Public Library Director.
If an item is kept 10 days past its due date, the item will be considered “lost” and patrons will be charged for the replacement of the item plus a $5 processing fee.
This charge will be waived when the item is returned. However, once an item has been overdue for 100 days, that item is removed from our records and it belongs to the person who did not return it. That person must pay for the item replacement, plus processing fee.
Accounts will still be charged for lost or damaged items. Fines will also still be assessed for interlibrary loans and in-house equipment.
If you have overdue fines on your account, or if you have any questions, please stop by the Borrower Services desk or call 208-468-5800 (option 2).
Learn more at http://www.nampalibrary.org/finefree.
