O’Neal Library No Longer Charges Overdue Fines
O’Neal Library is excited to announce that as of October 1st, 2021, library fines will no longer be applied to overdue materials! O’Neal Library feels that overdue fines are not an effective strategy to encourage patrons to return items on time.
Several libraries report that the hold time of their materials has not changed since eliminating fines. The O’Neal Library staff, Library Board Trustees, and The City of Mountain Brook want to ensure that the Mountain Brook community has unrestricted access to services and materials without the concern of incurring late fees.
What other libraries have eliminated fines?
O’Neal Library and Pinson Public Library are currently the only libraries in Jefferson County that are fine free.
I checked out materials at O’Neal Library that belong to another library, will I accumulate overdue fines on those items?
Yes. If you have materials from other libraries delivered to O’Neal Library, those items will still accrue fines.
What if I have misplaced a book or cannot return it?
Most items checkout for 3 weeks and will be automatically renewed for an additional 6 weeks if the item is not on hold for another patron. Two weeks after the final due date (11 weeks in total), you will receive a bill for the item if it has not been returned.
What if I already have fines from before October 1st, 2021?
All overdue fines for O'Neal Library patrons have been removed, you will have a clean slate! Previous fines from: other libraries, lost, or damaged items will remain active.
What about the money collected from fines?
Did you know that overdue fines typically make up about 1% of a library’s budget? The purpose of going fine free is not just to stop the nickel and diming, but to restore our collection. We encourage all patrons to bring back overdue materials without fear of punishment.
From all of us here at O’Neal Library, we thank you for your continued patronage and support.
O'NEAL LIBRARY
