Just over a year has passed since the Burlington County Library System switched to a new fine-free return policy and the Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Library Commission are celebrating the initial results.

Since ending fines last July, the library system reported substantial increase in activity, ranging from checkouts of books and other materials from the libraries, digital downloads, new cardholder requests and previously lost book returns.

“The Burlington County Library System was created more than a century ago to be a resource for all residents and the results we’re seeing show it continues to be successful with that mission,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “The switch to a fine-free policy has helped promote accessibility and equity, and we are pleased to see how the policy is working to bring more individuals and families back to our libraries.”

The fine-free policy took effect July 1, 2024. Under the policy, all overdue fines for books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, movies, video games and technology-on-loan were eliminated at the Burlington County Library System branch libraries and members libraries. Overdue fines remained for museum passes, classroom kits, book club sets and interlibrary loan items.

In the 12 months since the change, the BCLS reported the following increases in library activity: 

• 36% increase in checkouts from BCLS branches and member libraries between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025;
• 19% increase in digital checkouts during the same period;
• 15,334 new library cards were created;
• 1,600 new users of Libby/Overdrive, the BCLS’s digital catalog of online programs, collections and services.

In addition to the increased activity, library staff reported a 57% reduction in the BCLS list of lost items as hundreds of previously missing books and other items were returned without financial penalty. Many of those returned materials are now available for checkout again.

Burlington County Library Commission Chair Jonathan Chebra said the numbers validate the decision to eliminate most fines and financial penalties.

Prior to the change, more than 35,300 BCLS cardholders were inactive because they had not borrowed materials for over a year. 

 “A lot of thought and research preceded the change to a fine-free policy, and the first-year results are encouraging,” said Burlington County Library Commission Chair Jonathan Chebra. “We believed late fees and fines created a barrier that prevented some individuals and families from utilizing the library, so it’s gratifying to see cardholders who were inactive for years are returning to discover all the programs, services, and resources the library offers.”

While most of the overdue fines were eliminated, BCLS cardholders continue to pay replacement fees for lost or unreturned materials. The library also continues to prevent additional borrowing by cardholders who have overdue materials.

“The change to fine-free did not equate to ‘responsibility free.’ Library customers are still being held responsible for the materials they borrow,” said Burlington County Library System Director Ranjna Das. “But what we’re seeing is that cardholders who were inactive for years due to fines or overdue books have returned. These returning customers are also taking advantage of all our enhanced services, including our digital collections and programs.”

Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said the fine-free policy was another advancement to better serve Burlington County’s residents.

“The proof is in the results,” said Commissioner Eckel. “Library materials that were missing are now back in circulation, and longtime patrons who were staying away from the libraries because of their fines are now back using the libraries. It’s exactly what we hoped would happen.”