Auckland Libraries goes fine free

Overdue books no longer a "crime".

Overdue fines were never intended to be a revenue generation opportunity, but an incentive to get books back into the library. The reverse is true.

If a customer had the ability to pay, then they continue to use the library.  If they don't then they stop using the library out of fear or more likely shame.

Many public libraries don't see the removal of fines as a cost to the Council but as a barrier to those who need it most. If we, as a society, are committed to equity of access to information and knowledge then fines are a paradox.

Here are more good reasons.  

• overdue fines create barriers that stop people from returning books to libraries, rather they result in people not returning books
• staff time is freed up to concentrate on customers, not taken up on high volumes of low-value financial transactions chasing up fines
• the removal of fines builds trust and helps library users take full advantage of what a library has to offer

Have you had any experience of fines being removed from your local library? Share your story with us.

 info@publiclibraries.org.nz

We'd love to hear from you.