The tradition adopted during the Pandemic of not charging fines for overdue materials will be continued at the Needham Free Public Library even after the library is reopened to the public. The Board of Library Trustees voted to join the growing number of libraries that have ceased charging fines for overdue materials. Rather than be a deterrent to keeping items overdue, studies have shown that charging overdue fines actually adds to the reasons that people keep library material beyond the due date. The increasing day by day fine causes people to be embarrassed to bring the materials to the library.
Another change that borrowers may notice is that the Friends’ Rental Collection has been abolished. Before the Pandemic started, use of this collection was shrinking. This collection was self-supporting, and the funds collected for checked out rentals were diminishing to the point where they no longer supported the collection.
Out-of-network ILLs and museum passes will continue to have overdue fines.