New Braunfels Public Library goes fine-free

Beginning Feb. 1, the New Braunfels Public Library permanently eliminated overdue fines.

All existing fines have been forgiven, and patrons with blocked cards due to overdue fines are able to reactivate their cards in person or over the phone.

“Recent studies have shown no significant difference in overdue rates between libraries that charge fines and those that do not,” Library Director Gretchen Pruett said in a press release. “These same studies also show that fines—or the possibility of incurring an overdue fine—are a deterrent for library usage, especially among those who need the library’s resources the most.”

Now when library materials are not returned within two weeks of their final due date they will be marked as “lost,” and the user will be blocked from checking out any more items until the overdue materials are returned.

The fine-free start date coincides with Love Your Library month, which is celebrated each February.

This month, the New Braunfels library will host drawings for “Welcome Back Packs” and a food drive to benefit the New Braunfels Food Bank. For more information about both events, visit www.nbtexas.org/114/Library or call 830-221-4300.