Stratford Library Now Fine Free
The Stratford Library Board of Trustees has a special gift for the community this holiday season. As of December 15th, 2021, the Library will be fine-free and no longer charge fees for the late return of materials.
According to Library Director Sheri Szymanski, “The Stratford Library is happy to join the growing national movement of fine-free libraries. We at the Stratford Library want to let you know how grateful we are to serve this special town. The Library’s mission is to empower and enrich our diverse community by providing access to innovative services, information and ideas. Fines restrict access for people who are struggling economically and have proven ineffective in encouraging the timely return of materials. We want people to use the library and fines prevent people from doing that.”
In an effort to provide equal access to books, information, knowledge and learning, the Stratford Library is joining a forward trend in Connecticut along with libraries in Stamford, New Haven, West Haven, Hartford and Middletown which currently have fine-free policies.
This means that all outstanding fines at the Stratford Library will be wiped out. Library cards will no longer be blocked due to overdue fees and all Library users will have access to both physical and virtual resources. The Library will continue to send out reminders and encourages patrons to return materials by their due dates. Patrons will still be responsible for the cost of any lost or damaged items.
For further information about the fine-free policy, check the Library website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org/fine-free-faq or call: 203.385.4160.
