Library service ‘doesn’t know’ how many of 99,000 fines have been paid

​More than 150,000 people are registered users at libraries run and supported by North Yorkshire Council, but the authority has said it does not know how many users have been banned or how many fines have been paid.

​Last year, more than 99,000 individual item fines were issued with 22,423 borrowers linked to those fines, a Freedom of Information (FoI) request has revealed.

​The council – which operates libraries in towns including Harrogate, Scarborough, Malton, Skipton, Northallerton, and Selby – said the lack of information was due to the absence of “consistent storage of data to retrieve”.

​The authority added that there were a “range of banning types and procedures” which include temporary bans issued verbally by local branches and which are recorded only on customer accounts.

​An FoI request submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) also sought to establish how many library fines were issued and to how many people since 2021.

​However, the council said it did not have information for 2021-2024 after changing its Library Management System (LMS) in March 2025, and was “unable to access the previous system for data, and information requested is not recorded anywhere prior to loss of system”.

Bedale Community Library. Photo: NYC.

​Between March 19, 2025 and December 31, 2025, the council said it had receipts linked to 40,566 fines, which “may not include all fines paid” and added that it did not hold information on fines paid.

​The changes to the LMS also meant that the authority was unable to say how many of the issued fines had been paid and how much they were worth. Fines for the late return of items are capped at £8.20 for adults.

​Hazel Smith, North Yorkshire Council’s head of library services, said: “Our library service is hugely valued by the tens of thousands of people of all ages who use it every year. It’s very positive that our library visitor numbers are growing, and we run frequent membership initiatives to encourage people to use our services.

​“In recent years, this has included signing up babies to the library as part of the birth registration process, as well as encouraging schoolchildren to become members through a programme of class visits.”

​The number of registered library users in 2021 was 53,631; five years later in 2026, this had increased to 155,112, the FoI request revealed.

​Speaking to the LDRS, she added: “While some library members have outstanding fines, we do as much as possible to try and help them to avoid having to pay charges. We introduced a reminder system two years ago that notifies borrowers before items become overdue. Additional reminders are also sent when items are overdue, encouraging their prompt return. All notifications include guidance on how to renew items.

​“We are one of a small number of local authorities that still charge library fines. Fines collected at the council’s 11 main libraries contribute directly to the library service budget.

​“The county’s 31 community-managed libraries also collect fines, with that income retained locally by each of those libraries to help support their day-to-day running costs.”

​In 2023, Explore York Libraries and Archives announced it would no longer charge late fees or fines for items that were returned after they were due back, as well as cancelling historic charges.

​The organisation was originally part of the City of York Council but is now an independent organisation that operates 15 libraries, including York Explore.

​“We hope removing charges will help remove barriers that may put people off using our libraries. We know that charges are more likely to impact vulnerable people, including those on lower incomes, and we are delighted to offer a little extra help in tough times,” it said at the time.