Hi Susan, 

We are fine free and we do not make exceptions for different item types. We do have shortened loan periods for some item types. If the item is 30 days past due, then our system automatically marks the book as lost and a bill generates for the patron. We have found that people will call in and renew when they get the bill or they will bring the books back. I feel like we have more books getting returned with this process than we did when we charged fines. 

From: Anna Pelepchuk
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 10:59 PM
To: michlib-l@liblists.org; Susan Wess
Subject: Re: No Fines Libraries

Hi Susan,

Here at Bloomfield TWP, all material is fines free. In our ILS (Sierra) we can determine when items become billed, so we shortened the time for all our loan periods. It has worked out very well, but we also have auto renewal, so as long as an item does not have a hold, a patron's item will renew. We don't seem to have any more patrons than before fines free keeping items billed, only difference is we get them back because there are no fines. 

Anna Pelepchuk

Circulation Department Head

 

Bloomfield Township Public Library
1099 Lone Pine Road
Bloomfield Township, Michigan 48302

pelepcha@btpl.org

(248)642-5800 ext. 152

 

 

Libraries that no longer charge fines --- do you make any exceptions? For example, Library of Things or Hot Spots? Also do you block at a certain number of days or just invoice? Thanks

susan