Overdue fines to be scrapped at libraries in Devon

Library users across Devon will no longer face fines for overdue books from Thursday.

Devon County Council said this comes after more than 25,000 people responded to a consultation on the future of Devon's libraries.

It added all existing overdue charges would also be removed, giving library users a clean slate.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Council cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: "Libraries are at the heart of our communities, and removing overdue fines makes it easier and encourages more people to borrow books, discover a love of reading, and enjoy everything else our libraries have to offer."

Libraries Unlimited, the charity commissioned to run Devon's libraries, removed late fees for children and young people in 2022 to help remove barriers to reading.

Cottle-Hunkin added: "Where fines have been scrapped elsewhere, the results have been overwhelmingly positive, helping to remove barriers not just financially, but psychologically too.

"Libraries change lives, and we want as many people as possible to benefit from them."

Alex Kittow, chief executive officer at Libraries Unlimited, said: "Our hope is that this brings people back into libraries who haven't been borrowing books because of overdue fines on their account.

"We also want to remind people that books are expensive, and we do need them back so that hundreds of thousands of people across Devon can benefit from the joy of reading for free."

Libraries Unlimited said loan periods would remain in place, and people would still be asked to return or renew items when they are due.

It said reservation fees and charges for lost books would also remain.

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