Most libraries have found that fines are not an effective way to enforce loan periods. For some patrons, the inability to pay a fine can cut off access to the library when they need library services the most. More and more libraries have moved to a fine free system where patrons with overdue items are not charged fines but blocked from further checkouts until items are returned.
Fine Free
Hooray! We’re saying goodbye to Overdue Fines on most materials.
We know you love the library, but you probably don’t love the overdue fines. We have good news for you.
On June 1, 2021, the Orland Park Public Library Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Administration’s proposal to eliminate overdue fines on most library materials.
- All late fines will be cleared. Charges for lost items will still apply.
- Check B9.2 Schedule of Loan Periods and Fines Public Policy for more Details.
Does this mean I can keep library items as long as I want?
No. Due dates and loan periods will remain the same. The library will continue to encourage renewal or timely return of materials and consideration for others through its automatic notice system. Libraries across the country who have already done away with overdue fines haven’t seen a drastic increase in items returned late upon going fine free. Chicago Public Library actually saw a 240 percent increase in returned books in the month after they eliminated fines in September of 2019, and Salt Lake City’s Public Library saw late returns drop from 9 percent to 4 percent after fines were eliminated. See more information like this here: https://ischool.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Overdue-Fines-Advantages-Disadvantages-and-How-Eliminating-Them-Can-Benefit-Public-Libraries.pdf
Do I still have to pay for a lost or damaged item?
Yes. This new policy only applies to overdue fines. Charges for lost and damaged materials will remain. Accounts with more than $10 in lost items will be blocked from further checkouts.
Going forward Fine Free items include:
- Books
- Audiobooks
- DVDs
- Blu-Rays
- Book Bundles
- Magazines
- Launch Pads
- Puzzles
- Video Games
- Music CDs
Items that will still include a late return fine:
- Lucky Day Items
- Interlibrary Loans
- Rokus
- Hotspots
- Video Consoles
- Family & Friends CPR Kits
- VHS to DVD Converters
- Flick Pix Boxes
- Kilowatt Meters
- “Library of Things” Materials
Loan Periods & Fines Chart
Orland Park Public Library books and materials are loaned to holders of valid library cards.
Material |
Lucky Day |
Loan Period/
|
Max Item Limit |
| Audiobook CD | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| Audiobook MP3 | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| Blu-ray | 3 Days/$1 | 1 week/No Fines | 30 |
| Blu-ray Nonfiction | 3 Days/$1 | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 |
| Book | 1 week/$1 | 3 weeks/No Fines | 99 |
| Book Bundle | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| DVD/Blu-ray TV Series | 2 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| DVD | 3 Days/$1 | 1 week/No Fines | 30 |
| DVD Nonfiction | 3 Days/$1 | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 |
| Equipment | 1 week/$1 | 1 | |
| Family and Friends CPR Kits | 3 weeks/$1 | 2 | |
| Flick Pix Boxes | 1 week/$1 | 10 | |
| HotSpot | 1 week/$1 | 1 | |
| Interlibrary Loan (ILL) | 3 weeks/10¢ | 10 | |
| Kilowatt Meters | 2 weeks/10¢ | 1 | |
| Kit-Readalongs, Science & Penpal | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| LaunchPads | 3 weeks/No Fines | 5 | |
| Library of Things Material(s) | 2 weeks/$1 | ||
| Magazine | 1 week/$1 | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 |
| Music CD | 3 Days/$1 | 1 week/No Fines | 30 |
| NES/SNES | 1 week/$1 | 1 | |
| Playaway Audiobook | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| Playaway View | 3 weeks/No Fines | 1 | |
| Puppet/Toy/Game | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| Puzzle | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| Roku | 2 weeks/$1 | 1 | |
| Spoken CD | 3 weeks/No Fines | 30 | |
| VCR/DVD Recorder | 1 week/$1 | 1 | |
| Video Game | 1 week/No Fines | 10 |
What if I have more questions?
We welcome your questions at askoppl@orlandparklibrary.org or (708) 428-5100.