Thompson-Nicola Regional District Library System is harmonizing its fine structure so that all patrons will now pay the same amount, whether an item was borrowed by a child, adult or senior. The changes took effect on Monday, Aug. 19.
Previously, children paid a fine rate of five cents a day for the majority of late items and adults paid 10 cents. Now, all library patrons will pay 10 cents.
Even with this change, the TNRD Library System has some of the lowest fine rates in British Columbia.
“We feel that this change will be more equitable and more in keeping with how other libraries in B.C. charge for late fees, which is that everyone pays the same,” said Marc Saunders, director of libraries for the TNRD. “Our late fees, which haven’t changed since the early 1970s, ensure that loaned items are brought back promptly so that others may enjoy them, too.”
If library patrons currently have items on loan and those items are returned late, patrons will be charged at the rate in effect at the checkout date.
A full schedule of fine rates, loan periods and maximum fines can be found at tnrdlib.ca/finerate.
If patrons have any questions about the fine rates for a particular item, they should ask a staff member at their local library.