late fees

7 Stories

Library Comes Up With Purrfect Way to Forgive Lost Books

Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts is granting amnesty if you bring in cat pics

(Newser) - A Massachusetts library has implemented a temporary—and arguably purrfect—forgiveness program for those who've lost or damaged materials they've borrowed. The New York Times reports on the "March Meowness" initiative currently happening at the Worcester Public Library: For this month only, borrowers whose library cards have...

Huge Credit Card Late Fees May Be Going Away

New regulation capping late charges at $8 goes into effect in spring, but banks will likely push back

(Newser) - Back in October, the White House announced an ambitious initiative to get rid of rampant junk fees, including in the banking industry. On Tuesday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a big move toward that end, with a new regulation that will significantly reduce the late fees that customers have...

A Major Library System Makes a Big Move

Chicago Public Library is ditching late fees

(Newser) - The Chicago Public Library system no longer issues late fees, making it the largest public library system in the country to toss overdue fines. In a move aiming to make access to libraries more equitable, the city is also dumping any currently outstanding late penalties. "Like too many Chicagoans,...

Man Finds Out Late Fee for Book He Took Out in 1966

Luckily, Harry Krame, 65, won't have to pay for tome he borrowed from library in 1965

(Newser) - If you have school-age children, remind them often to check their rooms (and all around the rest of the house) for overdue library books—otherwise, a half-century might fly by before you know it, and they could get socked with a $2,000 late fee. Harry Krame of Fair Lawn,...

Michigan Couple Face Jail Over Late Dr. Seuss Book

They say it isn't criminal to take so long paying late fees

(Newser) - A Michigan husband and wife are beside themselves after having been warned they could face up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine over two unreturned library books. It all started in the summer of 2014, when their son checked out a Dr. Seuss book for the couple'...

Library Ditches Hero Pilot's Fine for Book Sunk in Hudson

Restocked ethics tome to be dedicated to Sully

(Newser) - Hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger's local library has told him not to worry about a borrowed book stuck in the hold of US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed in the Hudson River, AP reports. After he contacted the library to ask for an extension, the staff not only waived all overdue...

Aretha Sings Foreclosure Blues
 Aretha Sings Foreclosure Blues 
Mar 13, 2008 2:05 PM CDT

Aretha Sings Foreclosure Blues

Lawyer's $445 tax mistake puts Franklin's Detroit pad at risk

(Newser) - Aretha Franklin’s mansion is in foreclosure after the Queen of Soul flubbed her taxes, TMZ.com reports. Franklin owes $19,192 in back taxes, but she says she’ll pay before the March 31 deadline. The singer faults her lawyer for a 2005 mistake over $445 in taxes and...

7 Stories