July 1. Bibliophilic scofflaws may rest easier tonight. The Cornelius Library went fine-free today. While cardholders who have outstanding Library materials are encouraged to return all items ASAP, there won’t be fines of any kind.

There could be trouble when it comes to future borrowing.

If an item is overdue by two weeks, the borrower will be blocked from checking out materials until that item is returned.

If it has been overdue for 30 days, a replacement charge will be placed on the borrower’s account.

But lost charges will be waived when it’s returned to any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library within 12 months. No late fines will be assessed.

By the numbers:

—150,000 cardholders have a balance of $10

—40,000 were blocked in the last three years

—25 cents was the previous fine per day

Modern library science says fines are actually counter-productive. If libraries are a place that offer equitable access to everyone, overdue fines create barriers that discourage people who cannot pay their fines from using the library. In eliminating fines, the Charlotte Library encourages all users to come back to the Library, as well as attract new users to experience our resources, services, programs and offerings.

Read more about it, here.