Massachusetts

Massachusetts library will accept unique alternative to overdue book fees: 'People are struggling'

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

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Massachusetts library will accept unique alternative to overdue book fees: 'People are struggling'

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Lost a library book? It doesn’t have to be a cat-tastrophe.

At least not during the month of March in Worcester, Massachusetts.

A library there will scratch certain fees off a book borrower’s record in exchange for a picture of the person’s cat — or any cat, for that matter.

LIBRARY RECEIVES OVERDUE BOOK FROM 47 YEARS AGO, ALONG WITH ANONYMOUS NOTE AND A SURPRISE

The goal is to encourage people to read and visit the library, even if they owe money for a lost or damaged book.

“People are struggling and sometimes choosing between paying for that book that, literally, your dog ate for $30 or buying $30 worth of groceries — those are two very different things,” Jason Homer, executive director of the Worcester Public Library, told Fox News Digital.

It’s all about cats at the Worcester Public Library, as it promotes “March Meowness,” a time when fees for lost books can be paid by sharing cat photos. The library also has a schedule of events for the month, including cat crafts, a screening of the film “Cats,” lectures, story times and more. (Worcester County Public Library)

“And, people do have priorities. So we want to come to them with kindness, with forgiveness and say, ‘Just be part of our community.’”

It’s called the “Feline Fee Forgiveness” program — all part of the library’s month-long “March Meowness” event.

It aims to reduce barriers to returning to the library, regardless of a person’s circumstances.

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And Homer and his staff thought, What better way to welcome people than with soft, cuddly cats?

“A librarian is a book lover, a cardigan lover and a cat lover,” Homer said.

Jason Homer, executive director of the Worcester Public Library, said he believes reading is the “great equalizer” and wants to provide ways for people to settle their lost book fees so they can return to the library. (Worcester County Public Library)

“Our staff has a lot of cats. Some of the staff were in a meeting and they were coming up with ways to bring people back to the library, and they thought, ‘What if we removed as many barriers as possible and told people they could show us a picture of a cat, draw a picture of a cat or just tell us about a cat?’”

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In 2020, the library got rid of fines for overdue books. Why? Because so many people, after the COVID lockdown, had misplaced books that were not able to be returned in person.

In Worcester, that time period lasted for a year and a half, Homer said.

“We see literacy, both written literacy and digital literacy, as two of the biggest equalizers.”
— Jason Homer

“There’s a significant number of studies done by public libraries across the country that have proven we don’t get books back with fines,” Homer said.

“We end up losing people. Realistically, those fines did really nothing for the library, and it wasn’t really a money-generating piece. It was more like a sitting debt that was never paid.”

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Homer said lost library books are a nationwide issue.

“Many communities have this list of kids that have these $30 fees on their cards when they had no control and there was no ill intent,” Homer said.

To remove any potential boundaries people might have in returning to their public libraries, one library director and his team thought it would be a good idea to ask people for photos, drawings or even a chat about cats instead of charging fines for lost books. (iStock)

“There’s no way to really collect that. So we’re moving on. And ultimately the goal here was to find some way to get people to come back to the library — [people who] might be afraid of the feeling that they will get penalized. We would rather work with funders to get the money and not have to punish kids for some things that are out of their control.”

On average, the library collected around $11,000 in fines, Homer said, but it now has a foundation that could cover those fines — as long as the book is eventually returned.

MAN IN VERMONT FINDS LIBRARY BOOK THAT WAS DUE IN 1962, BUT HE HAS NOWHERE TO RETURN IT

“When you lose or damage a book beyond lend-ability — say you drop it in the ocean and it’s covered with sand and jellyfish and we can’t take it back and loan it to another person — we do have fees for that,” said Homer.

“Reading is something that helps people elevate themselves and make their lives better.” (iStock)

Still, well-meaning people have accidents and Homer and his team said they don’t want that to get in the way of progress and enlightenment.

“Reading is the best equalizer we have,” Homer said.

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“It is a space where people can learn, grow, experience things. We see literacy, both written literacy and digital literacy, as two of the biggest equalizers that we can afford [for] our community. Reading is something that helps people elevate themselves and make their lives better.”

Plus, it’s patriotic.

“We love cats and we want people to share their cats with us, even if they don’t have lost items. It’s just another way to include everyone.”
— Jason Homer
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“What’s more American than a public library?” Homer also said.

“We have a baseball stadium next door and we often joke that we have the two most American things — a public library and baseball — right next door to each other. And so that’s, for us, something that’s equally important.”

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The library has events scheduled during “March Meowness,” including crafts and cat toy-making, story times, lectures, a movie screening of “Cats” and even a de-stress cat petting session.

The library said it will accept photos of “honorary” cats, dogs, raccoons, orcas or capybaras. (Worcester County Public Library)

Homer said the forgiveness fee actually extends way beyond cats.

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The library will accept photos of “honorary” cats, dogs, raccoons, orcas or capybaras.

Avoid pesky late fees this month at the Worcester County Public Library thanks to the “Feline Fee Forgiveness” program during “March Meowness.” (Worcester County Public Library/iStock)

“Any ungovernable animal is good to us,” he said.

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Massachusetts

What’s opened, what’s closed in Massachusetts on Thanksgiving day 2025

Published

4 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

What’s opened, what’s closed in Massachusetts on Thanksgiving day 2025

Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, and this year it falls on Nov. 27, one of the latest dates it can possibly be.

The holiday is a time for friends, families and communities across the United States to come together to give thanks, enjoy a meal together and, for many, to take a break from their everyday lives and work.

Americans should anticipate that most businesses and public services will not operate or be open due to the holiday.

Here’s a list of what is open and what is closed in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving day 2025.

Government

Federal Courts: Closed

State Courts: Closed

Federal Offices: Closed

State Offices: Closed

Municipal Offices: Closed

Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): Closed

Public Libraries: Closed

Finance

The New York Stock Exchange and the Dow Jones: Closed

Banks: Most banks will be closed, but most ATMs will remain open.

Alcohol & Cannabis

Liquor Stores: Closed

Cannabis Dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays for when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to respective dispensaries to choose whether or not to be open or closed, so check with your local dispensary. However, most will likely be closed.

Shopping

Retail Stores: Most retail locations will be closed, with some operating on reduced or amended hours. Check with your local retailer.

Aldi: Closed

Auburn Mall: Closed

Big Y: Closed

Costco: Closed

CVS: Open, hours vary

Hampshire Mall: Closed

Holyoke Mall: Closed, but department store, restaurant, and entertainment venue hours may vary.

Market Basket: Closed

Natick Mall: Closed

Price Rite: Closed

Safeway: Open, hours vary

Star Market: Closed

Stop & Shop: Closed

Target: Closed

Trader Joe’s: Closed

Walgreens: Closed, but 24-hour stores remain open for essential pharmacy services

Walmart: Closed

Wegmans: Open, check with your local store on hours

Whole Foods: Open with modified hours, check with your local store

Read More: I ate Thanksgiving Oreos so you don’t have to, with the worst flavor I’ve ever had

Parcel

U.S. Post Offices (USPS): Closed

FedEx: Closed

UPS: Closed

Transportation

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: No service

Brockton Area Transit: No service

Cape Ann Transportation Authority: No service

Franklin Regional Transit Authority: No service

Lowell Regional Transit Authority: No service

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): The MBTA will have regular subway service. There will be weekend commuter rail service. There will be no ferry service. Other transit routes that typically do not run on weekends will not be in service.

Merrimack Valley Transit: No service

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority: No service

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority: Closed

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: No service

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority: No fixed route service, but demand response service available

Worcester Regional Transit Authority: No service

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Massachusetts

RIP Jay, dedicated Mass. State Police mount

Published

22 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

RIP Jay, dedicated Mass. State Police mount

Local News

Jay, a Percheron horse, worked with Massachusetts State Police for over two years.

Jay. Massachusetts State Police

A member of the Massachusetts State Police Mounted Unit, Jay, a Percheron horse, died on Nov. 19.

Jay, 12-and-a-half years old, passed away from cancer complications, State Police announced on Facebook.

In March 2023, Jay joined the Mounted Unit at 10 years old from CNY Event Ranch in Oswego, New York, the announcement says.

“He immediately became one of our A-Team horses which meant he was a truly reliable ‘go to’ horse for our Unit members and was always head of the pack with his superior size [18 hands tall] and temperament,” State Police wrote.

Jay patrolled across the state, competed in Mounted Unit events in Kentucky, trained in Washington, D.C., and worked Patriots games outside of Gillette Stadium.

“Jay was always a main attraction wherever he went,” State Police continued. “His noble stature drew adults and kids to his side. He loved the attention and knew the happiness he brought to others.”

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Massachusetts

Healey signs $2.3 billion law to close out Massachusetts’ 2025 fiscal year

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Healey signs .3 billion law to close out Massachusetts’ 2025 fiscal year

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday signed a $2.31 billion spending bill to settle the books at MassHealth and steer funding to former Steward Health Care hospitals and the program that covers some care costs for uninsured and underinsured patients.

The Legislature shipped the spending package to Healey’s desk last Wednesday, which was the last day of formal sessions for the year. Spokesperson Karissa Hand told the News Service Tuesday afternoon that Healey signed the closeout.

The package allocates $1.67 billion for MassHealth, $374 million for Steward hospital payments, $10 million in hosting costs tied to next year’s World Cup games, $18.3 million for student financial aid and $10 million for “operational and technical enhancements” at the Department of Transitional Assistance.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year, local organizers say Massachusetts has yet to keep its end of the deal to help fund certain services.

The law closing the books on fiscal 2025 also increases an assessment on hospital to generate more money for the Health Safety Net program and authorizes a $50 million transfer into the account from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund.

Lawmakers opted to withhold the majority of appropriations sought by sheriffs to settle county budgets, as they wait on the inspector general to file an interim report by the end of February.

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