Thunder Bay’s Chief Librarian is asking other libraries…What took you so long?
Since the pandemic, many libraries are starting to eliminate late fees but John Pateman says the Thunder Bay Public Library eliminated late charges in January.
“Some people object they think it’s going to be a disaster, that people are not going to bring their books back, but I’m, happy to report that didn’t happen. Most people are very respectful and they trust the library like we trust them and they bring their items back,” notes Pateman.
The city’s Chief Librarian explains we were one of the first libraries in Canada to do away with late charges.
Pateman notes the elimination of late fees has not been a big hit financially either since the need for fines was essentially done away with when the library began renting e-books which are automatically deleted when the rental period is complete.
