DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Public Library is continuing its mission to make the library accessible to all by changing its late fine policy.
Starting on Jan. 16, the Des Moines Public Library will stop charging late fines for books, DVDs, CDs and more materials, according to a press release. The policy was approved by the Des Moines Public Library Board of Trustees on Tuesday.
In addition to eliminating late fines on books and other materials, the policy will also retroactively eliminate past late fines, allowing patrons who were previously blocked due to unpaid late fines to renew their library cards.
“Late fines disproportionately impact children and families in low-income households, and we continue to reduce more barriers to using the public library and its wonderful services,” said DMPL Director Susan Woody in a press release. “We want those who have not been able to use us due to late fines to come back to the library.”
The new policy is part of a recent DMPL strategic initiative aimed at reducing fines and fees. In 2020, the library eliminated late fines on kids and teen materials and reduced other existing late fines from 25 cents to 10 cents a day.
The shift to reduce fines likely won't have a huge impact on the library financially: DMPL reports late fines comprised "a miniscule amount" of its operating budget.
That's not to say all fines and fees will be eliminated: Patrons will still incur fees for lost or damaged library materials. In addition, late fines will still be in effect on Library of Things items, board games, hotspots and Interlibrary Loan items.
DMPL isn't the first library in the metro to go fine-free: The Van Meter, Waukee, Altoona and Clive libraries also operate under fine-free systems.
As an added bonus, DMPL also announced Wednesday that all checked out items will automatically renew up to two times if there are no holds on the item.
The library will release more information about the new policy on Jan. 16.