The decision is part of a bid to encourage more people to use their local libraries and enjoy reading.<\/p>\n
According to Manchester city council<\/a>, \u201cthe abandonment of fines is one way that the council is investing in local communities and ensuring that Manchester\u2019s libraries are better suited to reach people from all backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n The change also aims to reduce the inequalities surrounding libraries and the financial strain of being fined.<\/p>\n When NQ asked Withington library members about the change, many were sceptical it would result in a positive change.<\/p>\n [They’re] usually pretty conscious people anyway, not book thieves<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sue Royle said: \u201cSadly, I think many people won\u2019t bother to return books.\u201d<\/p>\n Vikki Sarah-Ann added: \u201cI suspect they\u2019ll bring them back at the same rate, just probably more often late.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to stop people from just keeping the books now if they really wanted to, so I can\u2019t see how scrapping late fines would affect that.\u201d<\/p>\n Laura McCarthy said: \u201cThe maximum is only \u00a35 a book anyway, so if someone wanted to keep one I think they would anyway regardless of the fine.<\/p>\n \u201cI say remove it. Most people who use a library and bother to get a library card are usually pretty conscious people anyway, not book thieves.\u201d<\/p>\n However, some lenders were optimistic that scrapping late fees would be beneficial.<\/p>\n Patricia Reilly Hurst said: \u201cI think books will be returned more often now they have scrapped the fines.\u201d<\/p>\n Big, beautiful, open and free exactly the way a #library<\/a> should be! Congratulations @macinnes_neil<\/a> & @MancLibraries<\/a><\/p>\n \t\u2014 Nicholas Poole (@NickPoole1) February 10, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"Withington](\"http:\/\/wordpress.satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2022\/02\/img_9481-scaled.jpg\" "\\"Photo:")
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