FinesFree

We’re so excited!

It’s true, we’re late fines free! 

As of January 1, 2021, RPL is no longer charging late fines for library materials. 

When you borrow materials, you'll still have a due date. If you keep an item more than 30 days past the due date, your account will be billed to replace it.  

As long as you return your items within 30 days of the due date, you won’t be charged for lost costs. We recommend renewing your items if you want to keep them longer. 

Once you're finished with your materials, return them so others can enjoy them! 

If you need any help with your account, please contact our hotline at 306.777.6000.

Questions and answers

I still have late fines showing up on my account.

Talk with library staff. Fines that were charged to your account before we went Fines Free may still appear on your account.  

If there are fines showing on your account, please call our hotline at 306.777.6000 or visit one of our branches to have them reviewed. 

What if I borrowed a book from another library in Saskatchewan?

Some libraries in Saskatchewan still charge overdue fines on their materials. If you borrow items directly from those libraries, you may be charged overdue fines for late returns. You will not be charged overdue fines for materials borrowed from RPL, if they are brought in from another library. The best way to avoid fines is to return your materials on time!

What about costs for the replacement value of lost or stolen items? At what point do you consider something lost?

Items that are kept 30 days past the due date are considered “lost” and your account will be billed for their replacement. 

If you have $10 or more of lost costs on your account, you will also be restricted from borrowing any more materials.  

Charges and restrictions will be removed if you return the overdue materials in good condition.

What if I pay for a lost item, but then I find it?

If an item is returned in good condition within six (6) months of the payment date, with the original receipt, a refund for the replacement fee will be provided.

So I can keep library books indefinitely?

No. Your fellow library customers want you to bring them back, and so do we. Keep in mind that there are others who may be waiting for the materials you have signed out. We ask that you honour the due date or better yet, return materials as soon as you are finished with them. 

Remember that items kept 30 days past the due date are considered “lost” and your account will be billed for their replacement. 

If you have $10 or more of lost costs on your account, you will also be restricted from borrowing any more materials.

Don’t you earn a lot from overdue fines?

Not really. It’s worth it to eliminate overdue fines if it ensures that we can help everyone to experience great library service.  This change will bring people back into the library. 

We always welcome donations to the library so that we can continue our great work for the people of Regina. Please consider donating to the library.

What reason would people have for bringing back library materials if there are no fines?

Studies have shown that charging fines for overdue materials doesn’t cause people to bring them back on time. Fines on a library card can discourage some customers from using the library. We don’t need that barrier to borrowing and literacy in our community. 

At RPL, there have been no overdue fines on children’s materials for at least 20 years!