Islington Council has scrapped library fines for late returns.
As well as abolishing fines, the north London borough has introduced a fines amnesty to encourage users to return very overdue items.
The move is the first time it has dropped fines, which have existed since free public libraries began in the borough in 1905.
Cllr Roulin Khondoker, Executive Member for Equalities, Culture and Inclusion, said: “Abolishing fines for late returns will help us make Islington a more equal borough by removing a barrier for our least well-off residents – encouraging them to make more use of the amazing facilities we have on offer.
“This is especially important at the moment as many people are already struggling with the cost of living.”
The council said it did not expect the removal of fees to affect stock levels, and that it could encourage more people to return overdue items.
Users aged between 18 and 60 years old were previously charged fines for books, audio books and music CDs at a rate of 17p per item per day overdue, up to a maximum charge per item of £7.65.
Some 72 local authorities in the UK operate fines-free libraries, the majority of which are in England.
Alongside Islington, the boroughs of Brent and Tower Hamlets also do not charge for overdue books.
