Libraries: Almost one million NI books not back on time

Almost one million library books were not left back on time in Northern Ireland last year, new figures obtained by BBC News NI can reveal.

Fines for overdue library books in Northern Ireland were removed in October 2021.

As of March this year nearly 3,000 books were overdue for more than a year.

Belfast City Council area had the highest number of overdue books.

Libraries NI is responsible for 96 branch libraries across Northern Ireland, as well as services like mobile libraries.

The organisation said it was committed to promoting responsible borrowing.

Its chief executive Dr Jim O'Hagan added: "While we acknowledge the challenges highlighted by recent figures, we continue to emphasise the importance of returning books on a timely basis to support the smooth operation of our library services."

In October 2021, all charges associated with 87,000 items registered as being overdue by Libraries NI's were wiped from the system.

The communities minister at the time, Deirdre Hargey, said the move would allow people who were "anxious about overdue fines to return to libraries".

Under the new system those who repeatedly do not return library items have their borrowing privileges suspended.

With the previous system, the most a customer could be fined for an overdue item was £54.99.

Libraries NI made £73,510 through charging for overdue items from 2018 to 2019.

However, after deducting administration costs, the income made by Libraries NI was £7,260 for that period.

Dr Jim O'Hagan said: "If you have library books at home, please return them to any local library so others can enjoy them.

"Rest assured, no overdue fines will be applied to your account and the library will be delighted to have the books back no matter how long they have been overdue."

Libraries NI is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), which had previously warned that it was given £111m, or 15.5%, less in day-to-day spending in its budget than it had asked for.

Last year it emerged that Libraries NI did not have the money to buy any new books as a result of a "significant funding gap" in its annual budget.

A number of libraries also had their opening hours reduced to save money.

But last month it was announced that additional funding of £1m had been made available for new books in libraries across Northern Ireland.

The new book stock will include books for all ages and interests, along with eBooks and audiobooks.

The latest figures on overdue books were released to BBC News NI under a Freedom of Information request.

Between January 2022 and December 2022 there were 935,825 books not left back in time to Northern Ireland's libraries.

This number increased to 985,450 between January 2023 and December 2023.

Bernie McCann, a Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh area manager for Libraries NI, said it was important to say two-thirds of overdue books are returned within two months.

"But anybody that does have an overdue book, please bring it back, we would be glad to see you."

Emma Heatherington, an author from County Tyrone whose 16th book is due to be released later in the year, said libraries and her love of books go hand-in-hand.

She said: "I was lucky enough to be taught by my late mother how to read even before I started school.

"So I was hooked by an early age and that just evolved into me creating my own stories and I just loved getting lost in my characters and their worlds."

The Donaghmore woman was recently diagnosed with blood cancer and says books have provided much needed escape for her during her treatment.

She said: "As I go through treatment twice a week now, I love being able to just step away from reality by writing or just sitting down to read a book.

"Because the reality can be quite frightening sometimes, so stepping away from that reality even just for a few minutes every day is really important."

She added: "There's so much more to libraries than books as well, it really is a social hub.

"You can come in with your newspaper, with a coffee, meet your friends, there is activities for kids, all while being surrounded by all these wonderful stories."