Library fines scrapped

WOLLONGONG City Libraries, including branches at Helensburgh, Thirroul and Corrimal, are no longer charging fines for books, DVDs or any other items returned late – no matter how overdue they are.

Wollongong City Council Acting Lord Mayor David Brown said people are encouraged to return borrowed items on time to ensure as many items as possible are available to all library members.

“Overdue fines can be a real problem and sometimes discourage library members from visiting their library,” Cr Brown said.

“We want everyone to enjoy our libraries and all they have to offer.

“The people who most rely on our libraries are on fixed or low incomes and are not well placed to pay fines. These are the very people we want to see using our libraries.”

“We have removed fines for overdue items so that all library members are comfortable dropping in to their library even if they have a late book or DVD.

“If you have a library item sitting at home and you have been too scared to return it, you can return it now as no fines will apply.”

Council does not have overdue fines for our range of eBooks, eAudiobooks or eMagazines that our members can borrow online for free.

If you have genuinely lost a library item due to circumstances beyond your control, you can talk with library staff to see how they can help. Library borrowers with existing overdue fines can also re-start with a clean slate as all existing fines will be deleted from their records.

Wollongong City Libraries offers a collection of books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and newspapers, as well as e-books, video streaming and online data bases.

“Everyone is welcome in our libraries as they are about much more than just books. The libraries are also a place for people of all ages and diverse needs and cultures to come together for events, programs and activities and to just hang out,” Cr Brown said.

“Libraries deliver everything from early literacy story times, through to training for older people on how to use the latest technologies, to festivals such as Comic Gong and, most recently, Pride Month celebrations.

“The removal of library fines is just another way we’re working to make our libraries open, inclusive and safe places for everyone.”

For more information visit the Libraries website or phone Wollongong City Library on (02) 4227 7414.