Library fines to rise in bid to raise funds
LANCASHIRE County Council’s cabinet will today consider a proposal to increase fees and charges in libraries, museums and archives.
Library reservation fees have not been increased since 2005 and fines have not risen since 2012.
Charges for the archives service were last reviewed in 2016, and those for the museums service in 2013.
At its meeting today (Thursday) the cabinet will consider increasing the costs for:
The library reservation fee.
The late library books.
The commission on artwork and crafts sold in libraries and museums.
The charge for a copy of an archive probate record. return of
Admission charges at Gawthorpe Hall at Padiham, near Burnley.
It is also proposed to bring in a new handling charge for requests to provide copies of archives from outside the UK.
County Councillor Peter Buckley, the cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “We haven’t increased our charges for some time, and given the county council’s current financial position this situation can’t continue.
“Unfortunately, we can’t continue to absorb these costs, and the proposed increases are consistent with those introduced by other councils across the country.
“Although increasing charges is never popular, it is something that we need to consider to reduce the pressure on the council’s finances and help to meet our priority of continuing to protect services for our most vulnerable people.”
Anyone who lives in the UK can join a Lancashire library free, either online or by visiting in person.
For more information, visit www.lancashire.gov. uk/libraries or www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums or call 0300 123 6703.