Parkland Community Library and the LCLC is now Fine Free!
Parkland Community Library and our sister libraries in the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative (LCLC) are pleased to announce that starting September 1, 2021, we will no longer charge late fees for overdue books and select materials. Exceptions apply. When visiting other libraries in the LCLC, be sure to ask what fees may apply. Special collections will continue to have late charges or other fees in accordance with each library’s policies.
Why the change? Going fine free ensures that everyone in our community will have access to library materials and services, which is our primary purpose as a public library. Our community is stronger and healthier when people have access to the programs, services, and materials they need to pursue their educational, career, family, and life goals, and library staff can focus on what we like to do best: helping our patrons! We believe this will encourage prior users to come back to the library and attract new users to experience our offerings.
Past Overdue Fines: Starting September 1, 2021 the library can waive any overdue fines on your account from any past materials, apart from the exceptions listed below. We won’t waive any old fees except for overdue items.
What is the difference between a fine and a fee?
Fines are time based, punitive charges on items borrowed longer than their limits. Fees are for library services and products such as copying, printing, material replacement costs, etc.
Read more about the LCLC here.
Loan Periods
Adult and YA High Demand Books 2 weeks (5 item limit)
Most items can be renewed twice, unless there is a hold.
Books, Magazines, Audiobooks 3 weeks
New Adult & New YA Books 2 weeks
DVDs 1 week
DVD Series 2 weeks
Launchpads 1 week
Adult Parkland residents may borrow up to 3 per card for 1 week.
Museum Passes 1 week
Local and regional museum admission passes are available to adult Parkland residents. Museum passes do not renew.
Late Fees & Lost/Damaged Items
No late charges on most materials.
Items that are overdue for 28 days are considered lost.
Launchpads: $5.00 per day up to $50.
Museum passes: $10.00 a day, capped at $70.
Patrons are responsible for items that are lost or damaged. Replacement items are not accepted. You’ll be charged replacement costs and processing fees. If you return the lost item before paying the replacement cost, we’ll waive that charge. However, we can’t refund money that you’ve already paid, even if you return the book later.
If your account has $10 or more in fees, including for lost materials, your library privileges will be suspended. The suspension includes but is not limited to borrowing material, the use of the tech center, databases, interlibrary loans, etc.
The Library shall not be responsible for any materials left outside of the book drops or the building. If any materials are lost, damaged, or stolen that are left outside, the patron will be held accountable. Interlibrary Loans (ILLs) must be picked up within 4 days or patrons will be charged a $3 service fee.
For more information about borrowing items, visit our guidelines page here.
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