Late fines 
abolished 
at varsity 
library

Sheffield University has announced that it is scrapping fines in an attempt to make the system fairer and more efficient for students.

It is believed to be one of the first higher education institutions in the country to take this step.

Instead of books being loaned out for a set period of time and students facing a fine for failing to return them, the books are now automatically renewed until someone else requests them.

At this point, the university library notifies the student who is then given two days to return the book.

If students fail to bring their books back when requested they will not be fined, but they will not be able to take out any more books in the meantime.

Alison Little, assistant director of library customer relations, said: “We know our students hate receiving fines, and we’re not keen on giving them either.

“This innovative move will help to make our award-winning university library even more welcoming and user friendly for all students.

“We hope that our new system will also help to efficiently manage the lending of core text books which are in high demand. The system is based on the trust that students will bring the books back when someone else requires them and it has already generated positive feedback from students.”

Yael Shafritz, of the University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union, added: “Scrapping library fines will create a culture based on trust, as opposed to financial circumstance, we think this is a really positive move.”