That’s right. Since July 2019, the Kansas City Public Library does not charge late fines on overdue materials. We call this policy Freedom from Fines.

To put it simply: more access to information for everyone. Research and experience from libraries around the country increasingly show that fines are often barriers preventing people from using the Library and its services – especially those who most rely on us. We want to remove those obstacles, end the stress of owing fines, and ensure that all members of our community can use the Library.

Late fines, no matter how small, are a very real and significant burden for low-income individuals, children, and families. What starts as a tiny overdue fine can quickly snowball into a larger amount with each day that an item isn’t returned. Because people fear fines, they avoid coming back to the Library altogether. For many, this means they can’t access books for schoolwork and other vital materials or use essential services such as public computers or job resources.

We would rather have you back visiting the Library instead of staying away because you owe late fines.

Ha! No, not really. While overdue fines are traditionally associated with borrowing materials from libraries, that is changing. Libraries in many communities recognize that overdue fines sometimes do more harm than good when it comes to connecting people with important resources, so they’re reevaluating borrowing policies and making changes to evolve with the times. The Kansas City Public Library has joined over 450 other U.S. libraries in eliminating late fines.

Fine Free Libraries Map

Interestingly, libraries that have ditched late fines have found that return rates actually go up. By removing the threat of daily accumulating late fines, people are less likely to avoid returning to the Library and more likely to bring back any overdue items they’ve checked out. No late fines means more people using the Library.

Nice try. You still have to bring back what you borrow – and we still ask that you try to do so on time – but the Freedom from Fines policy is much more lenient if you miss a due date.

Borrowing Schedule

We feel you on that. But remember you can always try to renew your checkouts if you need more time and there isn’t a waiting list. There may be others in line behind you waiting for the item. Think about how much you’d appreciate getting your holds in a timely manner, and extend the same courtesy to others.

Also, Martin knows a little something about missing due dates (cough – The Winds of Winter – cough). Just kidding – we love you, George!

Absolutely. Your fellow Library patrons will thank you for it. Returning items prior to their due date is very considerate and always appreciated. Early returns benefit other Library users patiently waiting their turn for popular book titles, movies, or music.

Overdue fines contribute only a very small amount to the Library’s operating budget. While the Library is always carefully watching its bottom line, any loss of overdue fine revenue is tiny compared with the good this new policy will do for the community.

Above all, it’s worth it to us to forgo potential funds from fines to remove barriers to Library use. Freedom from Fines opens our doors wider for the people in Kansas City who need us the most.

Previously when you checked out an item and didn’t return it by the due date, daily fines started accumulating. For some patrons, the growing amount could become burdensome.

Our current policy? We still have due dates, and we encourage you to try to return your borrowed item on time. We’ll still send you email reminders to bring back your book, CD, or DVD. But we get it. Life gets in the way, and sometimes materials are turned in late.

An item is officially categorized as overdue at 12:01 a.m. the day after its due date. But with Freedom from Fines, you don’t need to worry about a late fine that grows larger each day.

If something hasn’t been returned by two weeks after its due date and we haven’t heard from you, it will be considered lost and the Library will need to charge a fee to cover the cost of replacing the missing item in our collection. A lost item fee will be applied to your account. And if materials are still not returned by 42 days past due and we haven’t heard from you, your account may be turned over to a collection agency and charged a processing fee.

But as long as we get the item back in good shape, you won’t ever be charged overdue fines. And if you eventually find and return the outstanding materials, the lost item fee is erased from your account.

Lost/Damaged Materials Policy

Borrowing Schedule

While we have eliminate late fines, the Library will still charge fees for lost or damaged materials. These fees are necessary to buy replacement books, CDs, or DVDs in the Library’s collection so other patrons may use them. However, the Library has changed the maximum fees charged on some lost/damaged items, and you no longer will be blocked from using certain Library resources.

Under our policy, when a user has incurred $45 worth of lost or damaged books, CDs, or DVDs, their account is blocked. That person then cannot borrow any additional physical materials. The account is unblocked when the items are returned or the lost book fees are paid.

Previously, if patrons maxed out on lost/damaged item fees, they were unable to use the Library’s public computers. But that’s no longer the case.

Even if your account has reached the maximum amount of lost/damaged item fees, you can still use public computers at any Library location, and you can still access digital materials available through the Library’s website -- eBooks, digital audiobooks, streaming or downloadable music, streaming videos, and more.

Lost/Damaged Materials Policy

Students in the KCPS system are not charged overdue fines. Since youth are among our patrons most impacted by late fees, Freedom from Fines offers a number of benefits. Students now have greater unrestricted access to the materials and resources they need for schoolwork, and they can visit Library locations without worrying about paying late fines.