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Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is ending charging fines for overdue material after more than 100 years, saying financial penalties for late returns especially hurt disadvantaged groups with limited incomes.
The fines-free policy starts Aug. 31, the same day the library marks its 125th anniversary.
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“We still expect people to take responsibility if they lose a book or if they damage a book they still have that responsibility of replacing it,” said chief executive officer Matthew MacDonald. “But they don’t have to be afraid of coming in a day or two late and having to pay a fine because they just had a difficult time coming down to the library for whatever reason to return the material.”