Watch CBS News

San Leandro Library Eliminates Late Fees For Overdue Material

SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF/BCN) -- The City of San Leandro Library embraced a national movement this week by permanently eliminating overdue fines and offering a one-time fine amnesty by waiving outstanding fines.

The library's proposal was approved Monday by the City Council and took effect immediately.

"By eliminating overdue fines, the Library will remove financial barriers and restrictions, making the San Leandro Public Library a more equitable place for all of its members," officials said in a news release. "Library members will still be expected to return library materials on time and will be billed for lost or damaged items."

SL Library
San Leandro Public Library sign (Roy Barloga/San Leandro Public Library)

The library is also dropping fees for library cards, meaning card memberships will be available to all California residents who apply.

"The fee card policy, which dates back to the 1940s, has been a consistent access barrier for residents of the neighboring town of Ashland, commonly known as unincorporated San Leandro, and the city's surrounding communities," officials said. "Removing this policy will allow the library to continue to strengthen its commitment to equitable access for all."

Bill Sherwood, acting library director, said "The focus of all libraries is to provide free equitable access to its community, which means free, fair, and impartial use of our resources and services. Eliminating these two policies will allow our library system to provide more equitable access, and I hope you will join me in celebrating these historic changes and the library staff that made it happen."

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.