The way it used to be, you fail to return a book on time and the fees would rack up. Hit $10 in fees, then you were barred from the library completely. That changed Tuesday when Chicago Public Libraries announced it’s going fee-free. 

This makes Chicago the largest city to make such a move. In addition to eliminating late fees, the library system is also erasing all outstanding library debt currently owed to the city and starting an automatic renewal system. 

Checked out items will automatically be renewed up to 15 times, with three weeks added per renewal. Library officials expect this move to bring back thousands of residents who were previously locked out because of the fines. Mayor Lightfoot says it won't cost the library money since it went back into the city's general revenue fund. 

It’s being pitched as an equity move. Data from the Chicago Public Library System shows one out of every three library cardholders in the South District is locked out. Even more alarming is how this impacts children who benefit from libraries most. One in five cards that are blocked in Chicago belongs to kids under the age of 14.

So what happens if you don't turn in your book? 

Library officials say it’s not an honor system. You'll have seven days to return the book after the final due date or you'll be blocked until you return it. Until then, you'll owe the library the cost of the book. That will go away if you return or replace it.