Ohio County Public Library goes fine-free permanently

OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) — The Ohio County Public Library has announced it has gone fine-free.

They would still like you to return that book in 2 weeks.

But you won’t rack up a bill every day if it’s overdue.

And actually they’ve been fine-free since COVID.

During the pandemic, they suspended fines because many people couldn’t get to the library.

And afterward, they quietly continued the practice.

Overdue fines were not a good deterrent for people to keep books for too long. And in fact, they deter people from using the library altogether for fear of incurring fines and financial problems they might not be able to afford. So the American Library Association suggested that if at all possible, libraries should consider going fine-free.”

Amy Kastigar, Director, Ohio County Public Library

They just put the word out this week, and already people are thanking them.

Fines were five cents a day on books, and a dollar a day for items on interlibrary loan.

They say the fines were not really a revenue stream anyway, bringing in less than one percent of their income.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.