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The Anderson County Library System (ACLS) became a bit easier to access earlier this month when it officially waived and removed most late fees for users.
"Removing fines for overdue materials removes a financial barrier to using the library, keeping to the library’s mission of being accessible to all," marketing and communications manager Brianna McDonell said. "Charleston County Library System and York County Libraries have also recently gone fine-free," she said. "t’s a growing trend nationwide."
There are approximately 76,500 active library users in the system, she said, and the overdue fines account for less than 1% of the system's operating budget. She did not have an estimate for how much debt was forgiven when the elimination of the fees went into effect July 1.