Avoiding the library due to fear of fines for that overdue book? Patrons can soon put their worries to rest as the Bracebridge Library is set to eliminate overdue book fines.
Last week Bracebridge’s general committee agreed to a request from the Library to eliminate overdue library fines for 2023.
Crystal Bergstrome, Chief Librarian, told the committee that recently there has been a movement among libraries across the province to do away with fines.
Bergstrome said staff have done extensive research and found that once fines are removed, items actually tend to be returned more quickly. Sometimes those with fines decide it’s not worth taking the book back at all, she said. Furthemore, chasing fines consumes more time and money than it creates, she added,
Bergstrome also offered a presentation on the Library’s strategic plan for 2023-2026.
She said active membership increased by 2,700 or 38% during 2022. Part of that is due to a slew of new courses being offered through the Library, including Linkedin Learning, and more than 1,600 free courses on everything from photography to Autocad.
“We’re not just there for leisure learning, we’re there to help make the community better,” she said.
The committee approved removing the fines unanimously but the decision must still be ratified at this Wednesday evening’s council meeting.
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