09/02/2026
We are going Fine Free at the Churubusco Public Library!
Yes, you heard correctly! We are no longer charging daily fines for late materials.
How will this work?
-All materials will still have due dates, and we do still expect them to be returned or renewed in a timely fashion.
-If an item is kept past a final grace period (28 days) the library will assume the item is lost and will charge replacement costs to your account.
-At that time your account will be frozen until lost items are returned or paid for.
-Exceptions: Special items like Wi-Fi hot spots, equipment or inter-library loans may still carry seperate late fees.
Why go fine free?
Our patrons lead busy lives. Eliminating fines provides a grace period for people who need a little more time to finish their book, watch their DVD, or just get to the library to make their due date. The library should be a welcoming environment, whereas fines can be guilt-inducing and even stressful.
Eliminating late fees removes barriers for those on tight budgets, and welcome back patrons who haven't visited the library because they couldn't pay their overdue fine. Oftentimes, these are the folks who need us most.
If you currently have late fees, come on in and we will happily erase those for you. If you have lost items, that is okay, things happen. We don’t judge here, and we’d love to work out a solution with you. Oftentimes, we can order the book, or you can even bring a replacement in yourself!
