Libraries: Powys becomes latest council in Wales to drop fines

Bookworms in Powys are no longer fined for returning overdue books.

The council hopes the move will bring users back to the county’s 18 libraries after a drop in usage since the pandemic.

It is the fifth council in Wales to drop fines for overdue books, Powys Council said, while five others are considering the move.

Some have welcomed the move, while others warn people will have to wait longer to borrow a book.

“Those who have racked up fines will feel a little bit more comfortable coming back,” said Wrexham poet and author Evrah Rose.

But it’s not just fines that keep people away from their local library, says the 34-year-old, who gives poetry readings.

“When I look at libraries across Wales, including our own library in Wrexham, I don’t see much in terms of advertising and social media profiles in particular,” Ms Rose said.

“So we don’t get that engagement, there’s a disconnect between libraries and the community.”

Powys council will permanently lift the fines from September 8 unless the decision is “invited” for consideration by councillors.

Customers may still have to pay for replacement books.

Ms Rose said libraries also need to do more to let communities know what they have to offer, like free internet or kids’ clubs.

“I don’t know if a lot of people know about it,” she said. “Libraries are such a rich resource, but there is no bridge between them and the community.”

She said she understands library budgets and staff have been cut, but a better “online presence” wouldn’t cost that much.

“I think because there’s a perception in general [libraries] are out of date,” she said. “Imagine if we’d seen pop-ups, for example at the Wrexham Center, where people can chat with a librarian to see what’s going on.”

The case for ‘money free’ libraries was put to council members in a report by Susan Summers, Powys’ senior librarian.

In it, Ms Summers said the idea was to “remove barriers to public use”.

“Permanently removing fines will help us rebuild audiences and encourage lapsed users to return to the library after the pandemic,” she said.

Loans to children are already fine-free, and the library service suspended all fines at the beginning of the first lockdown, a policy that remains in place.

“We have also removed any previously accrued unpaid fines [March 2022]’ said Ms. Summers.

“In this way, we were able to make it clear to our customers that there were no fines to be paid for overdue items.

“This has been well received by customers, although library usage has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels.”

“Fines in libraries are a double-edged sword,” said Emma Corfield-Walters.

The owner of Book-ish, a Crickhowell bookstore, said that while shelving might encourage some people to use the library more, it might also make it harder for users to check out the books they want.

“When I talk to people I know who use the library, they all tend to stand in line to get the most popular books,” she said.

“If there aren’t fines or consequences for people who bring these books back late, people will wait a lot longer.

“If it’s not abused, it’s a good thing because it will help people gain access to reading, especially those most at risk who, given the difficult times we’re going through right now, need access to a good library and a need a librarian.”