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Embargoed until Tuesday, October 5 at 12:01 AM

CONTACT: Angela Montefinise, New York Public Library, angelamontefinise@nypl.org

Fritzi Bodenheimer, Brooklyn Public Library, fbodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org
Elisabeth de Bourbon, Queens Public Library, edebourbon@queenslibrary.org

One Fine Day: New York City’s Three

Public Library Systems Eliminate Late
Fines
Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public
Library announced the major policy change; combined, this is the biggest
system in the country to eliminate fines

Removing this antiquated barrier to access allows libraries to better fulfill

their mission: making knowledge and opportunity free and accessible to all

OCTOBER 5, 2021—New York City’s three public library systems will no longer charge late
fines on books and other circulating materials, eliminating a barrier to access and ensuring
that all New Yorkers have free and open access to knowledge and opportunity.

Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library (which serves the Bronx, Manhattan,
and Staten Island), and Queens Public Library have become the latest and largest public
library systems to close the book on late fines, joining other major cities such as San
Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami-Dade, Seattle, and Dallas to go fine-free.
Combined, New York City’s systems represent the largest municipality to eliminate fines.

New York City’s three systems have also cleared all prior late fines from patron accounts,
allowing New Yorkers to enter a new chapter of recovery and renewal with clean slates.

In an effort to welcome patrons back or to libraries for the first time, the three systems are
holding a week of giveaways and special programs at all branch locations beginning on
Monday, October 18. During that week, New Yorkers are encouraged to stop by, reconnect
with their local libraries, check out materials, and return anything they may have at
home—fine free. For more information on the week, visit the individual system websites.

The goals of this major policy shift (fines have been in place since the three systems were
created at the turn of the 20th century) include encouraging increased usage of the library
systems, as well as creating a more equitable system that does not disproportionately
impact high-need communities. Under the previous model with late fines, patrons would
have their cards blocked if they accrued more than $15 in fines. At the time of the
announcement, about 400,000 New Yorkers would fit into this category, more than half in
high-need communities.

“This announcement is another major step towards making our public libraries, the heart of
so many communities, accessible to all,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Eliminating fines will
let us serve even more New Yorkers, allowing them to enjoy all of the resources and
programs that public libraries offer to grow and succeed.”

“Our public libraries and school communities work hand in hand to help students think
critically, broaden their imaginations, and become lifelong learners,” said New York City
Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “As an educator I know firsthand the power of
equitable access to information and knowledge, and I applaud our public library partners for
taking this critical step. Eliminating fines in New York City will benefit generations of children
and help foster their love of learning.”
In the NYPL system, branches in high-need communities (median household income below
$50,000) account for 6 times the number of blocked patrons as others. The 10 branches with
the highest percentage of blocked cards are all in high needs communities, and each have one
in five cardholders blocked. In the Queens Public Library system, the communities with the
highest number of blocked cards—Corona, Jamaica, Far Rockaway, and Elmhurst—all have
median incomes well below the borough average.

Similarly, for Brooklyn Public Library, the branches with the highest percentage of blocked
cards are in neighborhoods where more than 20% of households live below the poverty
level and most have an average median household income under $50K.

This trend is more pronounced for patrons 17 years old and under: about 30% of blocked
accounts would belong to children and teens; in Queens, 65% of blocked accounts would
belong to this group. In 2017, when a full citywide assessment was done of blocked cards,
80% of blocked youth cards were located in low-income communities.

"Public libraries strive to be the most democratic institutions in our society, providing all
people access to the resources they need to enrich their minds and improve their lives,”
said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “Eliminating late
fines means providing truly equitable access to everything the Library has to offer.”

“During the pandemic, it was clearer than ever that we live in a Tale of Two Cities, with our
most vulnerable citizens too often left behind,” said New York Public Library President
Anthony W. Marx. “We must work to ensure that we are adhering to our mission of making
knowledge and opportunity available to all, and that means addressing late fines. They are
an antiquated, ineffective way to encourage patrons to return their books; for those who can
afford the fines, they are barely an incentive. For those who can’t afford the fines—
disproportionately low-income New Yorkers—they become a real barrier to access that we
can no longer accept. This is a step towards a more equitable society, with more New
Yorkers reading and using libraries, and we are proud to make it happen.”

“For far too long, late fines have generated fear and anxiety among those who can least
afford to pay, preventing them from opening library accounts, checking out books, or even
coming through our doors. I vividly remember as a child having late fines on my card and
hesitating about going to the library when I needed it,” said Queens Public Library
President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Until today, countless New Yorkers have been
denied the opportunity to share in the great promise of public libraries – that anyone, no
matter their circumstances, can have free access to sources of learning and ideas that will
help them find success and joy in their lives. Late fines tell people they do not belong, and
that shutting them out is simply the cost of doing business. This is not only unacceptable,
but also totally inconsistent with our mission. We are thrilled to be able to make it possible
for even more people to take part in everything we have to offer.”

While the details are slightly different per system (and specifics can be found at
bklynlibrary.org, nypl.org, and queenslibrary.org), generally, under the new fine-free policies:

● New Yorkers of all ages will no longer need to pay any late fines on overdue
materials
● In the past, library cards were blocked if they accrued $15 or more in fines; that will
no longer be the case
● New Yorkers will still need to pay replacement fees if they lose material. Materials
are considered lost after being overdue for about one month. If materials are
returned, however, no fees will apply
● Cards will be blocked from borrowing additional physical materials if patrons accrue
replacement fees (thresholds differ per system); note that even with a block on their
cards, patrons can still access computers, e-books, and other digital services.

New York City’s three library systems have been closely evaluating fines for over a decade,
testing various models and programs to determine the best path forward. Since 2010, they
have conducted several “Read Down Your Fines” programs and two amnesties for kids and
teens, the most recent of which was held in 2017. One year after that latest amnesty
program, there was an over 60% increase in the percentage of previously blocked children
and teens who then checked out materials from their public libraries; this effect was most
pronounced in the lowest income neighborhoods.

Additionally, as a case study, children and teens with fine-free MyLibraryNYC cards (special
cards issued to participating New York City Department of Education schools) check out
30% more items on average than their non MyLibraryNYC counterparts but only have
marginally higher loss rates (less than 2 percent difference).

The Urban Libraries Council estimates that over 270 libraries in North America have gone at
least partially fine-free; while it is still too early to share results in many instances (due to the
disruption of the pandemic), the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and early
indicators are good: for example, the San Francisco Public Library reported a 53% increase
in the number of items with fines that were returned post-fine elimination
(September-November 2019) compared to the year before. Chicago Public Library reported
that in the year following their fine-free announcement in 2019, 11,000 users who had at
least $10 in outstanding fines renewed or replaced their library cards, returning to the
system, and that about 1,650 long-overdue books were returned in each of the five months
after fines were eliminated: an 83% increase in returns.

And the San Diego Public Library system, which went fine-free in 2018, reported an 8%
increase in library card sign-ups, a 4% increase in circulation, and no increase in lost items
(the number remained at about 2%). Director Misty Jones noted that many children and
teens got their first library cards without the fear of fines, and many formerly blocked
patrons came back. “It was the best thing we could have possibly done,” she said.

For many families, even a few additional dollars for an overdue book would prevent them
from accessing the opportunities libraries offer. The fine policy in effect priced out the most
vulnerable, scaring families from using a free public library system and creating an ethical
conundrum which can longer be tolerated.

The library systems collected about $3.2 million in late fines revenue in Fiscal Year 2019,
the last non-pandemic year. Since March 2020, the systems have suspended fines to
accommodate patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic. As they have not collected late fines
in over a year, they have found ways to absorb the lost revenue from fines.

“Some might say fines teach accountability and ethics. I disagree. We can teach New
Yorkers to be responsible and return their items so others can use them without a financial
burden. No one can learn responsibility at the Library if they can’t use the Library.
Considering the size of the three systems, it has taken time, thoughtful discussion, and
careful analysis to take this important step towards a more equitable library system. The
time is now. We hope to see all New Yorkers at one of our branches soon,” said Marx.

"Libraries are for everyone yet monetary fines create barriers to accessing library services
for those who need it most. I want to thank our three Public Library Systems for taking this
important step to advance social equity and bring more New Yorkers back to our great
libraries," said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Eliminating late fines is a powerful step toward ensuring our unparalleled public library systems
live up to their founding missions. No New Yorker should be denied the opportunity to access
the library’s vast treasures because they’ve accrued late fees — especially when we know that
these fees fall hardest on younger people and underserved communities, for whom public
libraries are a lifeline. I thank the leadership of Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library,
and New York Public Library for this groundbreaking announcement, and ensuring all New
Yorkers can enjoy our public libraries,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

"Libraries play a key role in communities as meeting places, education centers and public
spaces at no cost to our residents," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
"Libraries are especially critical for our youth, to nurture their love of reading and create
lifelong fans of literature. The news that New York City’s three public library systems will
eliminate late fines is a great step towards making sure we continue to keep libraries
affordable to everyone."|

"I commend the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Queens
Public Library on eliminating their late fines," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A.
Brewer. "This is a groundbreaking move that will turn the page and improve equity and
access to our library system for countless New Yorkers who may have avoided utilizing the
library system in the past because of current and prior accounts that accrued late fees."

“Exciting day for Queens and New York City; goodbye late fines! Our libraries historically
enriched the minds of the young and young at heart, and eliminating barriers like late fines
gives us more opportunities for knowledge and enjoyment. The late fine elimination is the
good news we needed during these trying times, and I thank all the library systems for
making this happen,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

“As an avid reader, it is encouraging to know that this effort may stop any hesitation Staten
Islanders have to borrow books from our great public library system located across the
borough,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. “I want to thank the folks
at the NYPL for removing any late fines of existing patrons, as well as prioritizing access to
the world of books, especially for our youth. But who is going to break this news to Joe
Bookman, Library Cop? (Seinfeld joke for the uninitiated)”

###

About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s
most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we
provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the
fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We
provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from
around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy
one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

About The New York Public Library

For 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and
information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and
branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free
materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from
toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent
years. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors
annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer
this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and
private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.

About Queens Public Library

Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United
States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An
independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access
to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages,
technology and digital resources, and more than 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic
programs a year. It consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven
adult learning centers, a technology lab, and two teen centers.