The Merrill Memorial Library will no longer charge patrons fines for returning items after the due date. The library community has been talking about eliminating fines for years, and we are following the lead of many other library systems across the country, including the public libraries in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Nashville, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, to name some of the larger examples. Even before the start of the pandemic, the American Library Association had adopted a resolution in their policy manual asserting that “the imposition of monetary library fines creates a barrier to the provision of library and information services.” We aim to bring down barriers that keep the public from using the library, and we feel that fines for overdue items are not necessarily in line with our larger mission of serving the public.
Announcement
Can’t find it in the catalog?
Are you searching for a book that you are unable to find? Perhaps the book is brand new, and none of the libraries have a copy of it yet. You can still request it.
Fill out this form with as much information about the book as you know, include your name, card number, and your email address or phone number, and we will consider purchasing it for the library. You will be the first to borrow it if we do.
COVID Task Force
The Yarmouth Community Coronavirus Task Force is still ready with information and resources.
Need groceries, information, resources, or a person to talk to? Call 207-846-4763 (the library’s phone number). All calls will be returned within 24 hrs. Visit the group on Facebook.
