GOT a novel that you keep telling yourself you\u2019ll finish? You no longer need to worry about paying a fee, as Goldfields Libraries recently joined the number of facilities across the country not charging for overdue items.<\/p>\n
The service, which includes Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat and Castlemaine libraries, hasn\u2019t charged fines since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, however the change was officially implemented in July.<\/p>\n
Goldfields Libraries CEO Mark Hands said the idea is to remove a financial barrier for many people.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic libraries are all about providing free and universal access to information,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife is hectic. A small fine just because you returned a library book a few days late shouldn\u2019t be a barrier to library access, but for some, it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemoving fines means everyone can enjoy the library without worry, borrow as many books and DVDs as they can carry, and keep coming back for more.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to a statement from Goldfields Libraries, other like services that have removed fines have reported an increase in visitors and borrowings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re following the lead of many other public libraries, and it\u2019s becoming clear that library fines do not encourage borrowers to bring their items back on time,\u201d Mr Hands said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, it may deter them from borrowing at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther library services have done the math and found that the cost of imposing fines was actually greater than the revenue they collected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than pay a fine, members with items over 21 days late on their account will not be able to borrow, and charges still apply for lost or damaged items.<\/p>\n
All historical fines have also been removed from members\u2019 cards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GOT a novel that you keep telling yourself you\u2019ll finish? You no longer need to worry about paying a fee, as Goldfields Libraries recently joined the number of facilities across the country not charging for overdue items. The service, which includes Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat and Castlemaine libraries, hasn\u2019t charged fines since the beginning of the […]<\/p>\n