The Lackawanna County Library System is Going Fine Free
January 1, 2026
The Lackawanna County Library System is excited to announce that, beginning Wednesday, January 7, we will be going fine free! This means all 10 of our locations will no longer be collecting fines on overdue items and that any existing overdue fines on your library account will be forgiven.
Though fines will no longer be applied to items that are past due, we do ask that you return items you’ve borrowed from our Libraries in a timely fashion by their due dates. As always, materials will automatically renew if possible, and you will receive notifications by text message or email to remind you of items you’ve borrowed that are coming due and to inform you when a renewal is processed. Long overdue items will be marked “lost.” Loan periods for specific materials can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
We hope that, by eliminating fines, our patrons will feel comfortable borrowing any and all materials they need from our collection of over 300,000 items without the stress of a financial penalty for returning something late. Everyone is welcome at the Library, and fees should not prohibit you from accessing the resources and services you need. If you have avoided your Library in the past due to overdue fines on your account, we hope you will feel comfortable visiting again knowing that there is no stress in missing a due date.
Please note that charges for lost and damaged items will still apply and will remain on library accounts. Because we need to replace these materials, you are still responsible for these costs. If you happen to find an item you believed you had lost, return it to any Library and we will waive the fine. Fees for printing, scanning, and other services available for purchase will still apply.
For more information, please contact your Library. Patrons can always update their information or apply for a Lackawanna County Library System library card online.
