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Queensland council abolishes overdue book fines

Fraser Coast Regional Council in Queensland has abolished overdue book fines at its libraries, arguing that the fines require too much staff time to administer, reports the Fraser Coast Chronicle.

Deputy mayor George Seymour said that librarians had told him that families no longer visit the library because they couldn’t afford to pay their fines. ‘When I looked into it a bit further, I started to realise we’re still one of the only councils still doing the fines, I think one of fourteen in the whole state,’ said Seymour.

Overdue fines of 25 cents per day were being charged for most items and $1 per day for new releases.

Damaged and non-returned items are still liable for fines.

 

Category: Library news