By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Borrowers will no longer cop fines for overdue books at Greater Dandenong Libraries.
In a bid to encourage more library users, Greater Dandenong Council voted to remove its 20-cents-a-day fine system and run a fine-free amnesty during February.
“Our libraries want to encourage literacy and lifelong learning in our community,” mayor Jim Memeti said.
“By removing this small barrier I hope more people will make use of our wonderful libraries.
“Now is the ideal time to return any late books that you have at home. We will wipe any overdue fines, no questions asked.”
Greater Dandenong has recorded an 8.6 per cent decrease in library borrowings since 2017-’18.
Its libraries impose fines of 20-cents per overdue item per day – with a borrower barred from borrowing if the fines accrue to $10 or more.
Despite the accruing fines system, two thirds of overdue items had not been returned within 35 days or more.
“It is evident that applying overdue fines is not an effective incentive to return items,” a council report stated.
“Library users can be reluctant to return overdue items due to needing to pay fines.
“The outcome is a community member who disengages from using the library service.”
In a 2019 survey, up to 44 per cent of library members said they’d use the library more if there was no risk of overdue fines.
International studies have reported the same borrower-boosting effect.
In neighbouring Casey-Cardinia libraries, the removal of fines led to more loans, higher customer satisfaction and no increase in overdue items.
To encourage overdue items’ return, Greater Dandenong will still restrict library members’ ability to borrow, and charge them the cost of the item if unreturned in 35 days.
There’s also an option to call in debt collectors after 50 days.
When the item is returned, the charges are wiped and borrowing privileges are restored.
