Birmingham City Council announces amnesty on late fees for overdue library books amid cost of living crisis

Birmingham City Council has announced people using the city’s libraries will not have to pay outstanding fees on overdue books. This move is part of the council’s efforts to support the public during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

An amnesty on fees for books returned late at all Birmingham City libraries will run from December 2022 until March 31, 2023.  During this period, fees will not be accrued.

Citizens currently registered as library members who may have outstanding fines will no longer be required to pay these during this period – with all library members welcome to return any overdue books without any charges.

Birmingham’s libraries continue to be open across the city with various activities taking place each week. Several will remain open as Warm Welcome spaces.

These can be found at eight of the city’s libraries. These are – Birchfield, Handsworth, Library of Birmingham, Shard End, South Yardley, Stirchley, Sutton Coldfield and Yardley Wood.

A number of Birmingham libraries will be offering art therapy sessions over the next few weeks, which will also be free to access. To find out the latest activities taking place at your local library, visit the events page or the libraries page on the council’s website.