Press Release
SAN JOSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Media Contacts
Elizabeth Castañeda
(408) 458-0662, elizabeth.castaneda@sjlibrary.org
Nancy Macias
(408) 712-2150, nancy.macias@sjlibrary.org
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Public Library Kicks Off its Fine Free Wave Campaign with the Help of Krazy George, the inventor of The Wave, to Announce the Elimination of Late Fines on All Overdue Materials
SJPL invites the community to join the Fine Free Wave tour and celebration at a library across the city
San José, Calif., September 10, 2024 – Today, San José Public Library (SJPL) officially announced the elimination of late fines on all overdue materials. The announcement was made publicly during a Ceremonial Item at a San Jose City Council Meeting where the month of September was also proclaimed as National Library Card Sign Up Month and where local legend and inventor of The Wave, Krazy George Henderson, kicked off SJPL’s Fine Free Wave by leading the first crowd wave at a City Council Meeting, inviting everyone to wave goodbye to fines.
“This is a significant milestone in the library’s history as we announce the elimination of fines on all materials that are returned late,” said Jill Bourne, San Jose City Librarian. “We are confident that going fines free will help us achieve our goal of removing barriers to access and encourage people to visit the library, check out materials, and join over 760,000 library members to sign-up for a San José Public Library card, especially during this National Library Card Sign-up Month.”
The library will continue to invite the community to join in on the excitement and cheer for the elimination of late fines at one of SJPL’s 25 library locations throughout the city to participate in the Fine Free Wave Tour.
“Our libraries provide residents with books, technology, and enriching programs, all of which will now be even more accessible with the elimination of late fines,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with Krazy George, a proud San Jose State alumni and the inventor of ‘The Wave,’ to launch the Library’s Fine Free Wave Campaign. By raising awareness, we can encourage more people to join their local public library.”
The elimination of late fines applies to all items checked out or returned after July 1, 2024. Library cardholders with existing late fines or fees, will have the opportunity to participate in one of the many access programs the library has created, such as Volunteer Away Your Fines, Book Replacement Program, or Read Away Your Fines – to provide people the opportunity to clear their library account and regain access to all the services their library card provides, such as access to online learning resources, eBooks and audiobooks, physical items, public computers, and unique collections such as free California State Park Passes, and learning kits for children.
For more information about the Fine Free Wave, visit www.sjpl.org/finefree
To access b-roll and photos, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBH63y
About the San José Public Library
San José Public Library (SJPL) is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and in the nation's 13th largest city. SJPL serves a culturally diverse population of more than one-million and has over 700,000 library members, making it one of the busiest library systems nationwide. The library has worked to cultivate and establish a 21st Century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core of its efforts. In addition to providing free library services to the community, SJPL proudly leads two citywide initiatives - the City's Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the City's SJ Access digital equity initiative.
