YPRL is proudly fine free!
No matter how late your item is, you won't need to pay any fees so long as you return it.
From 1 July 2019, items borrowed from YPRL no longer attract overdue fines
No matter how late your item is, you won't need to pay any overdue fines as long as you return it.
If you damage or lose an item, you will be charged for the cost of replacement.
If an item/s is not returned within 61 days and is ‘assumed lost’ where the cost is $50.00 and over, a $15.00 administrative fee will apply, plus the cost of replacement.
Why fine free?
We want to encourage all members to borrow items without the worry of financial costs.
Libraries should be open, accessible, inclusive, and free to all residents. Using financial penalties to incentivise members to return their items disproportionately impacts those in our community facing financial hardship, who are often reliant on library services and spaces.
Research shows library fines do not encourage borrowers to return books on time. In fact, they often dissuade people from borrowing items at all.
We first began by removing fines from our children and young adult items (which make up 35% of our collection). This resulted in a significant increase in loans of these items and did not significantly impact on the length of loans. With this encouraging example, the whole of YPRL went fine free.
In the time since we have instituted our fine free status, we have found that the majority of borrowers continue to return their items on time, even without the fear of fines.
How does it work?
Loans are automatically renewed twice if you are signed up for email notifications. An email notification is sent to you two days before your items are due. If your item has not been returned within this period, you will be unable to borrow new items.