Ontario library receives Roald Dahl books returned after 40 years
- A patron returned three Roald Dahl books to an Ontario library after nearly 40 years.
- The library's fine-free policy prevented the patron from incurring over $1,000 in late fees.
- This incident underscores the significance of fine-free policies in promoting library usage and encouraging reading.
In Ontario, a library recently received three Roald Dahl books that had been overdue for nearly 40 years. The Parry Sound Public Library reported that a patron returned 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' 'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator,' and 'The BFG.' Due to the library's fine-free policy, the patron avoided over $1,000 in late fees. Library staff had to estimate the overdue duration since the books were already removed from the system, relying on their publishing dates. This incident highlights the challenges libraries face with overdue items and the impact of fine-free policies on patron behavior. The return of these classic children's books not only brings joy to the library but also serves as a reminder of the importance of encouraging reading without the burden of fines.