Every Victorian library to have get rid of late fees across the state

More than half of all Victorian public libraries have abolished late fees in recent years, saying the move will save ratepayers money.

More than half of all Victorian public libraries have abolished late fees in recent years in an effort to drive up membership and remove barriers for access.

It may seem counterintuitive, but anecdotal evidence from libraries suggests once the fees designed to encourage people to return overdue books are removed, larger volumes of books are returned.

Melton City Council was the latest in a spring of councils choosing to abolish fees, with a report arguing the case presented before the council on April 4.

Officers found revenue from late fees had fallen from $35,000 in 2017 to just $2000 by 2021, as council introduced electronic services such as text reminders and auto renewals.

“Melton libraries have always had a fine for late items … but it wasn’t really a great way to engage the community into accessing the library service,” acting general manager for community services Troy Scoble said.

He said the continued use of library late fees was costing Melton City more than it was generating in revenue and that fines were overwhelmingly affecting people from a lower socio-economic background.

“This undermines the core principles of public libraries to provide universal free access to information,” he said.

Twins Victoria and Elizabeth (2 1/2) on either side of Annabelle (3) with books at Carrum Downs Library. Picture: Jason Sammon

The City joins a growing list of 20 Victorian library services that have chosen to abolish fees in the last four years, with anecdotal evidence suggesting these libraries are seeing higher borrowing rates and returns of overdue items.

Public Libraries Victoria CEO Angela Savage said a survey of library’s last year indicated approximately 70 per cent of Victoria’s 50 library services had now gone fine-free.

“Councils have done the maths and realised it costs more to impose fines than it does to recoup the money,” she said.

“Once fines are removed, more books get returned. And people who might otherwise stay away – often the more vulnerable members of the community – are encouraged to return to the library.”

“Public Libraries Victoria looks forward to the day when Victoria is a library fine-free state.”

Late fees will be abolished in Melton from July 1, with fines before then being cleared off the books.

“I think we might have an influx of books turning up at the door,” Melton councillor Julie Shannon joked as the proposal was unanimously carried.

The current list of Victoria‘s public libraries which have removed overdue fines on permanent basis includes:
Bayside Library Service

Boroondara Library Service

Brimbank Libraries

Buloke Shire Library

Casey Cardinia Libraries

Eastern Regional Libraries

Frankston Library Service

Gannawarra Library Service

Geelong Regional Libraries

Goulburn Valley Regional Library

Greater Dandenong Libraries

Hindmarsh Shire Libraries

Hobsons Bay Libraries

Hume Libraries

Indigo Shire Libraries

Kingston Library and Information Service

Latrobe City Library

Maribyrnong Library Service

Melbourne Library Service

Melbourne City Libraries

Melton City Libraries

Mildura Rural City Council Libraries

Mitchell Shire Library Service

Monash Public Library Service

Moreland City Libraries

Mornington Peninsula Library

Murrindindi Library Service

Stonnington Library and Information Service

Swan Hill Regional Library

Wellington Shire Libraries

West Gippsland Libraries

Wimmera Regional Library Corporation

Wodonga Library

Wyndham City Library Service

Yarra Libraries

Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service