Contact: Nicole Pasini, Deputy Director of Library Services
San Mateo County Libraries
(650) 312-5251
San Mateo, CA – Beginning January 1, 2018, San Mateo County Libraries will automatically waive any late fines on county library materials for individuals age 62 and older. The Senior Library Card program is available to patrons that live in the San Mateo County Libraries service area (Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, Woodside, and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County).
San Mateo County Libraries recognize that late fees can be a significant barrier to library access, particularly among seniors who are retired and live on a low or fixed income or have transportation issues. By removing this barrier, the Libraries aim to improve older adults’ access to timely, current information, as well as increase their social connectedness with the larger San Mateo County community.
The Senior Library Card program also strives to build upon the success of our Youth Fine-Free Card from 2016, which eliminated late fees for children and teenagers. As a result of this program, the Libraries saw an increases in youth library card registrations and circulation of youth library materials. The Libraries' hope to see similar results with the launch of the new Senior Library Card program.
