Since the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020 the Ketchikan Public Library has not charged fines for overdue materials, at first because many of our patrons found it difficult to return their items—either the Library was closed or they were stuck at home—and then because so many people were suffering financial hardship due to the pandemic. 

​

The Ketchikan Public Library has now permanently eliminated the barrier that overdue fines present to many Ketchikan residents.

​

The Library will continue to charge in certain circumstances:

• We will charge overdue fines on items borrowed from off-island libraries through interlibrary loan, so we can return them promptly to the libraries that own them.

• We will charge patrons for the replacement cost of damaged and lost items. An item that is more than four weeks overdue is automatically designated as Lost.

• If a patron has items overdue for an extended period, they will need to return them before they can check out additional items. 

​

The Public Library shares an online catalog with the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District libraries, but school libraries have their own policies and procedures for items checked out at their libraries.

​

If you have questions about this change in policy, contact Director Pat Tully at 907-228-2311, or patt@firstcitylibraries.org.