The Greater Victoria Public Library is going fine-free for overdue items, while things returned more than 21 days late will be considered lost.
In a bid to break down barriers to using the public library that serves communities across the south Island will clear existing late fines from patron accounts starting Jan. 10. Those with accounts blocked due to accumulated fines will also be cleared.
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鈥淭he library board鈥檚 decision to eliminate overdue fines aligns with our commitment to reducing barriers for all library users. Eliminating overdue fines removes a significant barrier and increases access to the critical library services people count on,鈥� board chair Andrew Appleton said in a news release.
鈥淭he cornerstone of our library鈥檚 mission is to build community and support literacy and lifelong learning. We hope that anyone who was not using the library because of an outstanding fine, or the fear of accruing fines, will feel welcome to visit once again.鈥�
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GVPL will still charge a fee for lost or damaged items, with items more than 21 days late being considered lost.
Financial constraints should never hinder someone鈥檚 ability to engage with the library鈥檚 wealth of information and opportunities, CEO Maureen Sawa said.
鈥淲e trust our community to care for the library鈥檚 collection and to return items when they are due. The decision to go fine-free is about fostering a culture of inclusivity. Becoming a fine-free library will help ensure everyone in our community has equal access to the resources they need,鈥� Sawa said.
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The GVPL offers more than just hard-copy books and magazines, giving those with a library card the opportunity to check out electronic books, movies and music as well as other online resources.
鈥淭he rising popularity of eBooks and other digital materials that do not accrue overdue fines and the lenient approach to fine collection that we took in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that the revenue generated from overdue fines has continued to decrease in recent years,鈥� added Sawa.
Visit to learn more about the service or how to help with declining revenues.
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