Following a pilot program in three Georgia library systems last year that included one in our area, more libraries in the state are becoming fines-free, according to the Georgia Public Library Service.
The staff at the Piedmont Regional Library System, which serves Banks, Jackson, and Barrow counties and eliminated frees last year following the pilot program, feels empowered to reconnect with patrons who previously avoided the library because they owed fees.
“Late fees do not distinguish between people who are responsible and those who are not. Removing fines ensures that the library remains accessible to everyone, promoting a culture of learning and exploration without financial barriers,” Piedmont Director Beth McIntyre said. “Going fines-free furthers our mission to empower people, raise aspirations, and build quality of life in the communities we serve.”
A fines-free policy aligns with the Georgia Council on Literacy’s focus on the importance of removing barriers to reading, especially for underserved families, according to the library service.
For more on this story, including a link to a map of the fines-free systems, click here: More Georgia libraries are going fines free | Georgia Public Library Service
EARLIER STORY: Area library system eliminating late fees 97.5 Glory FM | North Georgia’s Family Radio Station (wgtjradio.com)