The Camden County Library System has announced it will no longer collect late fines on materials borrowed by patrons 16 years old and younger effective July 1.
The policy is designed to encourage library use by young people and support early childhood literacy.
Younger patrons will still be responsible for returning borrowed items. If items are overdue past 14 days, the juvenile patron’s borrowing privileges will be suspended until the overdue materials are returned without an accumulation of past due fines that can pose a financial burden on younger patrons and their families.
In announcing the policy change to her staff, Camden County Library System Director Linda Devlin said, “We want the library to be a positive experience for young people, and we believe creating financial barriers to using the library is counterproductive.
“We want to encourage more use, not discourage it. The existing policy for all patrons will still hold them accountable for returning borrowed materials.”
After an item is overdue by 14 days, juvenile patrons will be prevented from borrowing further materials until the overdue materials are returned. Juvenile patrons will continue to receive courtesy notices about overdue materials as will all patrons.
The waiver of late fines for juvenile patrons will apply to any materials borrowed as of July 1 and thereafter.
