On July 1, the Kalona Public Library became a “Fine Free” institution. This means the Library will no longer collect fees for overdue books. Any previously accrued fines for overdue books are forgiven.

The Library is the 16th library out of 543 in Iowa to go completely fine-free.

Director of the Kalona Public Library Trevor Sherping shares what spurred this action, “It’s something that’s been on my mind for a couple years. When I was in grad school, my eyes were opened to some libraries I believe in Colorado, that had gone fine free. It was something I had never considered before and after doing a bunch of reading it just started to make sense.”

Sherping noted a lot of times in our community people in lower socioeconomic households may find the five to ten dollar fine could be the difference in having a meal and the library does not want to add to that burden.

Library patrons with overdue books are encouraged to return their books and start visiting the library again.