Borrowers paid almost £16,000 in overdue fines to Lincolnshire libraries last year - with Grantham raising the most cash and Bourne the least

Lincolnshire’s libraries raised almost £16,000 in fines last year, it can be revealed.

Although the amount payable for overdue books is capped at £8, the county still managed to recoup thousands of pounds in 2024

In total, £15,919.42 was raised via late returns, although this was lower than the £17,085.12 secured in 2023, a freedom of information request showed.

The data was made available from the 13 core libraries and mobile libraries operated by GLL, the social enterprise which runs libraries in England and Wales, while hubs retain their own income.

Of the money raised, the most came from Grantham Library, a total of £1,435.87. The lowest amount came from Bourne Library, which still brought in £832.55.

Fines for overdue items depends on what is being borrowed, such as DVDs, audiobooks and books.

Also: The most borrowed books and authors at Lincolnshire’s libraries

The freedom of information request also asked, by length of time, which single copy of a borrowed book was the most overdue across Lincolnshire libraries.

However, this data could not be shared because all items overdue by 80 days have their status changed to ‘lost’.

Items not returned after seven years are written off in line with financial procedures.

While overdue charges for adult books are capped at £8, the most that can ever be owed on an individual book, there are no charges for overdue children's books.