Library fines in North Yorkshire are to increase for first time in a decade.
North Yorkshire Council has increased the fine for an overdue book at its libraries from 30p to 35p per day.
The council said it was the first increase in almost a decade and was being made “in the light of increased pressures on finances.”
The changes will only apply to adult library members and not children.
The price to print an A4 piece of black and white paper at the library has also increased from 10p to 20p. It remains 50p to print a page of colour.
In an email sent to members this week, the council said income from fines and other charges goes into the library budget and contributes to ongoing service delivery costs.
The maximum fine for one book is £8.
The email added:
“Charges incurred at our community libraries goes directly back to the groups managing those libraries and makes up a valuable part of the income needed to meet their running costs. To mitigate the increase and to help customers keep track of items on loan we will be introducing reminders about when books are due back.”
In 2015, the running of 31 libraries in the county was handed to volunteers in the face of mounting financial pressures brought on by austerity.
In this model, the council’s library service continues to provide the infrastructure including books and public IT, as well as some paid staff support to ensure consistency across the county.
The community libraries account for just under 40% of active library users and deliver on average 50% of the total business for book lending and computer access.
There are more details about all library charges at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/libraries/library-charges-and-fines
Scarborough Athletic Suffer Late Heartache at Mounting Systems Stadium
Questions Raised Over "Fantasy" Repair Figures as Future of Whitby’s Cliff Lift Hangs in the Balance
Yorkshire Coast MP Champions Dual Bids for Inaugural UK Town of Culture Title
Lessons to be Learned from Council’s ‘Risky’ Scarborough Water Park Loan
North Yorkshire MPs Call For Investigation Into Heating Oil Market
‘Unsustainable’ Plans For Almost 20 New Houses in Hunmanby Rejected
East Riding Invites Visitors to Celebrate National Tourism Week
Updated Taxi Licensing Policy to Make Transport More Inclusive in North Yorkshire
Business Boost As Coast To Coast Path Becomes National Trail
£200,000 for New Football and Sports Area in Scarborough
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Welcomes Discussions On Future Marine Safety One Year After Tanker Collision
Concerns Raised Over North Yorkshire Council’s Plan To Move Out Of Scarborough Town Hall
Comments
Add a comment