The Burlington County Library System has reported significant increases in library usage one year after implementing a fine-free policy

Checkouts rose 36% and thousands of new library cards were issued.

The policy, which took effect July 1, 2024, eliminated overdue fines for most materials including books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, movies, video games, and technology-on-loan at all branch and member libraries.

Museum passes, classroom kits, book club sets, and interlibrary loan items still incur late fees.

“The Burlington County Library System was created more than a century ago to be a resource for all residents and the results we’re seeing show it continues to be successful with that mission,” Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson said in a statement.

“The switch to a fine-free policy has helped promote accessibility and equity, and we are pleased to see how the policy is working to bring more individuals and families back to our libraries.”

In the first year under the new policy, the library system recorded 15,334 new library card registrations and saw a 19% increase in digital checkouts.

The digital catalog platform Libby/Overdrive gained 1,600 new users.

The change has also led to the return of previously lost materials, with library staff reporting a 57% reduction in missing items.

Before the policy change, over 35,300 cardholders were inactive due to not borrowing materials for more than a year.

Burlington County Library System Director Ranjna Das emphasized that while overdue fines were eliminated, patrons remain accountable.

“The change to fine-free did not equate to ‘responsibility free.’ Library customers are still being held responsible for the materials they borrow,” Das said.

The library continues to charge replacement fees for lost items and restricts borrowing privileges for those with overdue materials.

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Submit Burlington County community news to burlington@njadvancemedia.com.

Questions about this post may be directed to Linda O’Brien at lobrien@njadvancemedia.com.

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Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.

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