BORDERS charity, Live Borders, is giving its library members an early Christmas present as they announce that from December 1, they have abolished fines for overdue books.

The scrapping of fees is in a bid to entice new members to join a local library and to encourage previous members to return and use a library service again.

Members with outstanding charges have als had their fees removed, but are instead asked to make a small donation to Live Borders who will use it to purchase food for a local foodbank before Christmas.

Lisa Denham, Connected and Creative Communities Manager at Live Borders told us: “Library fines have been in existence since the very early days of libraries. Processing and administering fines can be time-consuming for staff - and fining library members for not returning books is a slightly antiquated approach.

“We are encouraging members of the public to return undamaged, overdue library items to their local libraries. There will be no charges to pay and we would be happy to reactivate any lapsed library memberships so that people can begin to use their local library again.

“Removing fines will be a permanent change and our aim is to ensure that our libraries are there for everyone. By removing this barrier it will help more people to discover their local library and achieve our charitable aims of keeping everyone healthier, happier and stronger in the Scottish Borders.”

To find a local library and for more information, visit https://www.liveborders.org.uk/culture/libraries/