Fines for late library books return scrapped in Devon, but Somerset still charges

OVERDUE public library book fees have been scrapped for readers in the Culm Valley and surrounding areas.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity which runs Devon’s libraries, axed late fees for children and young people in 2022 to help remove barriers to reading.

Now, it has widened the policy to apply to all library users regardless of age, and has also quashed all existing overdue charges to allow book readers to start over with a clean slate.

Uffculme Library, in Ashley Road, is the only one still serving the Mid Devon and Blackdown Hills areas bordering Wellington, although it is only open for four half-days a week.

The change follows a Devon County Council consultation earlier this year on the future of its library service when more than 25,000 people responded.

Now, people are being encouraged to make the most of the change, while continuing to return or renew books on time so they remain available to others.

In Somerset, the near-bankrupt unitary council continues to fine library users who return books after their due date.

Somerset readers are charged at 40p per day from the day after the items were due up to a maximum sum of £15.60, although overdue books can be renewed and the fine will not increase from the date of renewal.

The unitary council has a system where it can email library users with a reminder two days before their items are due to be returned.

Devon cabinet Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, who is responsible for the county’s libraries service, said: “Nobody should feel put off from using their local library because of overdue fines.

“Fining for overdue books is a very traditional concept that is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

“Where fines have been scrapped elsewhere, the results have been overwhelmingly positive, helping to remove barriers not just financially, but psychologically too.

“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 change lives, and we want as many people as possible to benefit from them.”

Libraries Unlimited chief executive Alex Kittow said: “Our hope is that this brings people back into libraries who have not been borrowing books because of overdue fines on their account.

“We want people to know the slate has been wiped clean.

“We do not want there to be any barriers to people using the library, and we hope this will help people borrow more books.

“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.”

Devon’s change applies only to overdue fines, and loan periods will remain in place, and library users will still be asked to return or renew items when they are due.

The authority is also maintaining book reservation fees and charges for lost books.