The City of Malmö removed the delay fee on book loans during the pandemic so that sick people would not come to the premises.
About a week ago, Malmö reintroduced the fee, but after an analysis, it was concluded that as many books were returned without a fee as with a fee.
- As for books in general, we see no impact.
We also do not see that our reservation queues have grown, says Karin Ahlstedt, unit manager at the libraries in Malmö, to Biblioteksbladet.
The municipality of Gothenburg is also considering abolishing the fees.
During the rest of 2021 and 2022, they will continue with the removed fees to see what effect it has.
- There is a will here to remove the delay fees if it facilitates the reading promotion work, says Helena Jannert, unit manager at the Gothenburg library to Kulturnyheterna.
According to Sörmlands Nyheter, Trosa municipality is also considering abolishing the fees.
Can save money
In one year, Malmö normally deducts approximately half a million kronor in late fees, but it must, according to Ahlstedt, be put in relation to the personnel resources required to withdraw the money.
And to Kulturnyheterna, Karin Ahlstedt emphasizes the democratic role of library operations:
- The library's mission is to stand for equal access and I believe that abolished late fees can lower the thresholds for those who need us most.
In Karlskoga, the fees were removed in 2018 and have gone up financially.
Söderköping, Boxholm and Mjölby have also previously removed the fees.