Library users across Devon will no longer face fines for returning books late, from Thursday 1 October 2026.
All existing overdue charges will also be removed, giving library users a clean slate.
The change follows decisions made by Devon County Council earlier this year after more than 25,000 people responded to its consultation on the future of Devon’s libraries. One of those decisions was to remove charges for overdue books.
Libraries Unlimited, the charity commissioned to run Devon’s libraries, removed late fees for children and young people in 2022 to help remove barriers to reading. The change will now apply to all library users.
People are being encouraged to make the most of the change, while continuing to return or renew books on time so they remain available to others.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries, said:
“Nobody should feel put off from using their local library because of overdue fines.
“Fining for overdue books is a very traditional concept that is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Where fines have been scrapped elsewhere, the results have been overwhelmingly positive, helping to remove barriers not just financially, but psychologically too.
“Libraries are at the heart of our communities, and removing overdue fines makes it easier and encourages more people to borrow books, discover a love of reading, and enjoy everything else our libraries have to offer. Libraries change lives, and we want as many people as possible to benefit from them.”
Alex Kittow, Chief Executive Officer at Libraries Unlimited, said:
“Our hope is that this brings people back into libraries who haven’t been borrowing books because of overdue fines on their account. We want people to know the slate has been wiped clean.
“We don’t want there to be any barriers to people using the library and we hope this will help people borrow more books.
“We also want to remind people that books are expensive, and we do need them back so that hundreds of thousands of people across Devon can benefit from the joy of reading for free.”
The change applies only to overdue fines. Loan periods will remain in place, and people will still be asked to return or renew items when they are due. Reservation fees and charges for lost books will also remain.
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