The Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) this week announced that it will no longer charge overdue fees on children and teen books, movies, and music. The library also waived $754,637 in outstanding fines and fees for customers under the age of 18 and outstanding late charges on children and teen materials for adult accounts.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Council approved supplemental funding to enable the library system to eliminate the fines and fees.

“Eliminating the burden of debt on the backs of children and young adults who want to use library resources is a great step in making the county the Best Place for All,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “This initiative is a great fix to breaking down barriers, especially among our most vulnerable county residents.”

While fines will no longer be charged on children and teen materials, items must be returned to the library in a timely fashion or replacement costs will be charged after 30 days. Damaged materials will also be assessed a replacement charge.

“Fines are a barrier that disproportionately impacts people without the means to pay. As a public institution, we have a responsibility to make our items available to as many people as possible. Removing these fines (while still requiring the items to be returned) will allow more people to enjoy our materials for education, enrichment, and inspiration,” said AACPLCEO Skip Auld.

Visit the AACPL website for more information.