No fines for your late library books

A COUNCIL has become the first in England to axe ‘off-putting’ fees for the late return of books.

Trafford is scrapping the fines from April in an attempt to encourage more people to use the borough’s libraries. The move could now be copied by other local authorities.

At present, Trafford Council, Manchester, only makes £30,000 a year from library fines, which reach a maximum of £10. Last year saw Trafford’s first increase in library usage in 17 years. It has 12 libraries, four of which are being rebuilt.

The council said: ‘Trafford will become the first public library authority in the country to adopt this policy. This decision will overcome evidence that suggests this charge is off-putting for customers and help to see a further increase in usage of libraries across the borough.’

Some councillors fear that more books could end up not being returned. But council leader Sean Anstee told The Guardian: ‘We don’t have an issue with people retaining books at the moment and if we didn’t have a book returned, that person’s ability to borrow more books would be removed.’