Chipping Away at Barriers: A Collective Journey to a Fines Free Library in Gore

For Gore Libraries, the decision to remove library fines in 2025 was not an overnight change. It was the result of a sustained effort over many years, with different leaders picking up the mantle and pushing a little further each time. All with the same collective understanding and a shared belief that libraries should be inclusive and barriers where-ever possible should be removed.

The First Step: Children’s Fines Removed in 2018

The journey began with former Gore District Libraries Manager Lorraine Weston-Webb, who recognised early on that fines were doing more harm than good especially for children and families. In 2018, Lorraine successfully advocated for the removal of overdue fines for young borrowers.  Lorraine didn’t stop there. She continued to press the case for removing adult fines, laying essential groundwork for change. She demonstrated that fines were an equity issue disproportionately affecting those who could least afford them and discouraging the very people libraries most aim to serve.

Passing the Mantle

When Emma Sherie took over as Library Manager in 2023, she inherited both Lorraine’s vision and the unfinished challenge of removing adult fines. Emma, working alongside General Manager David Bainbridge Zafar, brought renewed momentum. Together they revisited the evidence, looked at national trends, and built the case for Gore to join the growing list of fines free libraries across Aotearoa.

With the guidance and assistance of Bernie Hawke, whose expertise as Executive Director of Public Libraries New Zealand, the team prepared a report for Council. The message was clear: fines did not encourage responsibility, they discouraged participation.

Removing All Charges

The vote to remove fines was unanimous from around the Council table and from 1 July 2025, Gore’s Library fines journey was finally completed. Not only were adult fines removed but so to was historic debt owed on accounts. Other remaining charges were also removed for example, DVD hire fees, and fees for hiring audio books.

Worth the Wait

The impact has been immediate. Families who had stopped coming to the library have returned, borrowing has increased, conversations at the counter have become more positive, and the library feels lighter and more welcoming.

Most importantly, the removal of fines and charges ensures that Gore Libraries are truly living their mission: providing equitable access to knowledge, culture, and opportunity for everyone in the community.

The journey may have taken time, but it has been worth every step. Gore Libraries have become the inclusive and fines free spaces they were always meant to be.

Submitted by Gore District Libraries