BOOK lovers in the Wimmera can now entangle themselves in literature for a longer period without the worry of overdue fines.
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Wimmera Regional Library Corporation will stop fining users for overdue library items from July 1.
Wimmera Regional Library chief executive Ann Twyford said the move aimed to encourage library use and enhance the collection sharing experience.
"The library's mission is to promote literacy and access to resources. We want to ensure that people feel comfortable visiting the library and using our collections," Ms Twyford said.
"Rather than charging fines, we will give people the opportunity to renew items. Then, if items become overdue we'll send a reminder and allow a further grace period before suspending member privileges. Upon return of the items, all privileges will be automatically reinstated."
The library will host an amnesty from June 17 to 30, where people who return overdue items or visit their local branch can have existing fines waived.
"If you have something that's overdue, it's never too late to bring it back," Ms Twyford said.
Wimmera Regional Library's IT and marketing manager Leanda Elliott said the initiative aligned with libraries in other areas.
"It is a trend for libraries across Australia, and the world, to change charging overdue fines and (opt) other ways to encourage people," she said.
She said people who were fined either never returned the books or, if they did, never visited the library again.
Ms Elliott said the idea was discussed for about six months.
"We weren't getting a large amount of money from the fines anyway so it will not have a noticeable impact in that particular area," she said.
She said current charges were $0.20 an item a day, with a maximum of $5.50 per item.
The new plan will be effective in all branches 0 located in Dimboola, Edenhope, Goroke, Harrow, Horsham, Kaniva, Nhill, St Arnaud, Stawell and Warracknabeal.
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