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
Council's Scarborough Building Move to Save £400,000 a Year and £19m in Repairs
Campaigners Celebrate Reprieve For Whitby Cliff Lift
North Yorkshire Councillors Agree Policy To Boost Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi Numbers
Plans Submitted For New 125-Home Residential Development In Hunmanby
No Quick Fix For Local Roads In Yorkshire & Humberside, Reports ALARM Survey
Whitby's Cliff Lift Saved for the Time Being Following Council Meeting
Campaigners Declare ‘Victory’ As Whitby Cliff Lift Saved From Decommissioning
Whitby Town Beaten Again As Game In Hand Goes
Brid Town Lead Twice But Pegged Back
Pickering Town Power Through Again
Scarborough Mayor Reassured Over Town Hall Relocation Plans
Comments
Add a comment