Houston Public Library does away with late fees, fines

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Cardholders with Houston’s public library system will no longer need to pay late fees or fines on overdue books and other items borrowed from the library.

Effective January 11, Houston Public Libraries announced that it will no longer charge late fees or fines on items borrowed from the library that would have previously been considered late. The change comes, the library system writes on its website, following approval by Houston’s city council.

According to the library system, about a quarter of its account holders owed late fines, with 70 percent of those fines accrued prior to 2015. HPL has designated an amnesty period that began Jan. 17 and runs through February 18 to give all customers an opportunity to clear their accounts out.

“With the passing of this update to the you,” he said. “It’s like a Jedi power you get after driving for so many years. You begin to know what the person is going to do before they do it.”

It also requires awareness at all times, he said. One incident in particular, however, stands out. When he was making a home delivery years ago, he said he noticed three children playing when he walked up, but only saw two when walking back down.

Immediately, his sensors went off.

“I walked around the truck to the driver’s side and there was a kid hid - ing underneath in front of the back tire. It shook me up,” he said. “I always make a double trip around my car when I see kids in the neighborhood.”

One thing is for sure – he said residents and businesspeople can feel when he’s driving around, and he can’t wait to deliver their packages.

“One hundred percent of the time they are waiting on something, and when I deliver it they are excited,” he said. “I’m bringing happiness.” standing ordinance, many Houstonians, including those who are in the most need of library services, will regain access to the vast resources available—from books and audiobooks to mobile hotspots and Wi-Fi-connected laptops,” the library writes.

What’s more, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner said about 27 percent of all late fees were accrued by younger school-age Houstonians.

“A fine free library system evens the playing field and incentivizes Houstonians to become lifelong users of our Houston Public Library,” Turner said. “When you analyze the numbers, you see (this 27 percent), preventing them from accessing free resources and tools for learning. Simply put, this is the right thing to do.”

For more information on Houston Public Libraries, visit the library system’s website at houstonlibrary.org.