Starting in January 2020 the Anchorage Public Library (APL) will no longer charge overdue fines on its material (books, DVDs, CDs, or magazines). The Library staff is excited to take this positive step to improve your community library and invites you to learn more about this change and what it means for you.
By no longer charging overdue fines, APL joins libraries across the country that focus on making the time users spend in the Library the best it can be. Research has shown that fines are not a good way to get users to return items. Instead, they can quickly build up and keep people from coming to the library at all. We understand that our patrons have busy lives and can’t always make it into the Library.
This means a new year is a new start if you have a late fine—no matter how old! Just contact the Library: Stop in to one of the five Anchorage Public Library locations, call, or email, and staff will waive all your Anchorage Public Library overdue fines.
But remember your friends and neighbors may be waiting for that movie or book you checked out, so please try to bring items back on time. Always bring items back no matter how late, because lost and damaged items will still have a fee.
You may also like to know that we constantly add new books, movies and music to the library collection, including Spanish language films, books, e-books, and audiobooks. We have Spanish material for all ages, including many items online on your mobile device through Hoopla and Libby (Alaska Digital Library) as well as Spanish bilingual story times at most locations. The new year is a great time to get a library card, or use the one you already have, to read, watch, listen, and learn at your Anchorage Public Library.
