Good news for Louth library members as fines are axed

There’s good news for Louth readers who can now borrow books from their local library without the fear of incurring fines if they don’t return their books in time.

From January 1st, library members do not have to pay fines for overdue items and no existing fines will be collected.

Any library user who has overdue items can return them now, confident that will not be asked to pay fines. Those who have avoided going to the library because of overdue fines, can now pop in, get thier memberships reactivated and start using their local library straight away again.

Louth County Librarian, Yvonne O’Brien said: ‘Libraries are an invaluable resource for all in the community and we want to remove any barriers that might prevent people making full use of them. That is why we are eliminating fines and other charges. Libraries are welcoming spaces where all members of the community can access knowledge, ideas and information, and where people can reflect, connect and learn’.

‘Research has shown that people view fines as a barrier to membership and usage of libraries. In addition, fines dis- proportionately affect those on lower incomes and can create a negative association with library use for children. There is evidence that library services which have removed fines see an increase in usage following their removal and we very much hope that will be reflected now in our Library Services.’

Yvonne O’Brien is inviting everyone to visit a library during January and see for themselves all that is on offer there, completely free Yvonne said, ‘We can promise that a resolution to use your library more is one you will find very easy to keep throughout the year.’