West Georgia Regional Library System (WGRLS) is excited to announce starting January 1st, 2025, WGRLS will eliminate all fees on youth materials, making it easier for families to enjoy and return library resources without the worry of accumulating fines.
This new policy is part of the WGRLS’ ongoing commitment to support literacy, education, and lifelong learning for all community members. By removing fines on children’s books, audiobooks, and other materials, WGRLS hopes to encourage more frequent library visits, increase access to educational resources, and promote a love of reading among children of all ages.
“We’re very excited that WGRLS will be going fines free for children’s and teen materials beginning in 2025. Youth literacy is one of the most important aspects of our mission as a public library. Going fines free on youth materials means that we can remove barriers and help increase literacy rates in our community. Increased literacy is a great goal in itself, but it also improves workforce readiness. This is a significant moment for our library system and our community.” – Director Stephen Houser
This shift reflects research showing that late fines don’t bring materials back any faster, that fines can disproportionately affect rural families and create barriers to accessing essential library services, and that fines for these items are cost neutral and don’t bring in revenue when accounting for staff time, mailing notices, and recovery rates.
With the move to a fines-free model, WGRLS joins a growing number of libraries nationwide making similar changes to enhance community engagement and support.
For more information about the new fines-free policy, upcoming events, or library services, please visit wgrls.org.
