Tardy library users in Mississauga no longer dinged with late fines

Mississauga Library users who find themselves with an overdue book or other material from the city’s libraries no longer have to worry about paying fines. 

As of Jan. 1, “Mississauga Library is fine free” according to City of Mississauga officials, who say they’ve scrapped the daily late charges “in order to provide barrier-free and equitable access to all of our customers.”

Library officials want to “eliminate the negative impact of library fines, especially for the vulnerable population,” the City says. “Fines can affect those who need the service the most.”

Officials add that overdue fines are not a sustainable revenue source for libraries, especially as digital collections, which do not have late fees, continue to grow.

“In addition, Mississauga Library is following the best practices set by many North American libraries who have already eliminated fines,” City officials say, pointing to Brampton, Hamilton, Toronto and Vaughan as local examples.

Beginning in January, we are going fine free! Details at https://t.co/ZW7VEzsXqD pic.twitter.com/ZZI4qbgWos

— Mississauga Library (@mississaugalib) December 23, 2021

Late charges had ranged from 35 cents per day for books, DVDs, magazines and CDs to $10 daily for Chromebooks or laptops before the City decided to do away with them.

Though the library will no longer ding users with late fines, replacement fees for lost and damaged items remain.

Also, City officials say, library users with outstanding fines must still pay those, either in person or online.

Moving forward, all eligible borrowed items not returned on their due date will be automatically renewed on that date unless the items in question have holds placed on them.

If an item remains overdue for 21 days or longer or you owe more than $15 in fees, your account will be blocked. At 28 days overdue, officials say, the item or items will be considered lost and the user’s account will be billed.

Library fees that remain in place include:

• lost or damaged items–full replacement cost
• replacement library card–$2
• hold not picked up–$2
• non-resident card–$40 annual fee
• lost or damaged hotspot–$250
• lost or damaged Chromebook/laptop–$550