They’re forgiving the debt.
Anyone who was 100 grand in the hole with Ireland’s libraries will be wiping their brow with relief this morning, as they’ve done away with library fines at the outset of the new year.
In a statement by Dublin City Council, it has been confirmed that:
“From the 1st of January, library members will not have to pay fines for overdue items and no existing fines will be collected.
“There will be no overdue fines charged on any materials taken out from the library by library members from the 1st of January 2019.
“All charges on members’ accounts as of the 1st of January 2019 will also be removed.”
Of course, those who borrow books from libraries will still face consequences if they don’t bring them back:
- 3 Days Before Due Date: Reminder Email
- 1 Day after Due Date: Reminder Email
- 3 Weeks after Due Date: Reminder Email
- 9 Weeks after Due Date: Item considered lost, card borrowing privileges blocked and user requested to present to the library.
Similarly, if a book is lost or damaged, customers will be asked to pay the cost of the book.
The new measures are part of an initiative to increase library participation, titled Our Public Library 2022: Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities.
The only bad news is that if you just paid off your fines on 31 December, you don’t get a refund. Sorry!
Full details can be found here.
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