PORT Stephens Libraries have waived their fees for overdue fines.

As partners in the Regional Joint Library Agreement, Port Stephens Libraries responded during the COVID-19 crisis with community support, which included suspension of library overdue fines from April 2020 to September 2021 inclusive.

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Following the recent Council meeting on 14 June, councillors unanimously supported a fee-free approach for the region’s libraries.

In late 2021, the City of Newcastle submitted a proposal to adopt a permanent fines free model for overdue library items, which their Executive endorsed.

Tammy Gutsche, Council’s Community Services Section Manager, said that this approach is consistent with worldwide trends in the library industry to remove punitive barriers to participation.

“Research identifies that the cost of administering the collection of fines is often equal to or more than the revenue.

“An increasing number of Australian and overseas libraries are recognising that fines often act as a barrier to many people utilising the full-service benefits that libraries offer, and can have significant financial implications, particularly to those on fixed or low incomes.

“Research shows that instead of encouraging the prompt return of library items, being penalised financially for overdue items can discourage people from returning to the library altogether,” Ms Gutsche said.

A report by the peak body for Australian libraries, the Australian Library and Information Association, supported the removal of overdue fines citing that Library fines undermine one of the core principles of public libraries – the provision of free and universal access to information and the people who can least afford to pay fines are often the ones who need the library service the most.

Analysis conducted by Newcastle and Port Stephens libraries has also demonstrated that the cost of collecting overdue fines is greater than the revenue received.

“With the City of Newcastle moving to a ‘Fines Free’ approach across the Regional Library Service, there is no longer a requirement for Port Stephens library staff to reduce or waive overdue charges as these will now be non-existent,” Ms Gutsche said.

By Tara CAMPBELL