With overdue fees nearly a thing of the past when borrowing at the Greater Victoria Public Library, the record of 82 years stands as the latest book ever returned.
It was a copy of Stephen Leacock’s “Sunshine sketches of a little town” borrowed during the First World War. While eight decades of late fees would add up, librarian Carl Cavanagh told the Victoria News in 2018 that there wasn’t a charge.
“I don’t think there would be any late fees because frankly, I think the publicity is worth its weight in gold,” Cavanagh said at the time.
“Sunshine sketches of a small town” remains the record-holder, Kelly Ridgway, GVPL coordinator of marketing and development confirmed Jan. 3.
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In a bid to break down barriers to using the public library that serves communities across the south Island will clear existing late fines from patron accounts starting Jan. 10. The GVPL will still charge a fee for lost or damaged items, with items more than 21 days late being considered lost.
Until this year, overdue fines would accumulate when borrowed items are returned after their due date. Each day the item is overdue, a fine accrues and they range from $0.10 to $1.50 per day depending on the item.
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The documented 1939 two-cents-a-day fine would be 41 cents today, according to the Bank of Canada inflation calculator.
Each type of item has a maximum fine ranging from $3 to $12. Once it’s 45 days late, it is considered lost and a lost item fee is charged. Lost item fees vary, depending on the item. A replacement cost is set at the time of purchase for every item in the collection.
Managed and operated by the GVPL board, the library has 12 locations in Greater Victoria from Central Saanich to James Bay.
