Removing fines correlates with more use of the library

While there are mitigating factors, like the impact of the pandemic on library use and the library hosting more events, visitors and book issuing has increased since fines were removed in Christchurch.

a graph from 2021 to 2025 showing a dip in 2022 and a rise ever since, where visitor numbers and issue numbers have both increased in Christchurch libraries

(Please use a modern browser to see the interactive version of this visualization)

Data is for year ending in June (i.e. June 2021, June 2022). Data for June 2025 was a forecast.

Chart: Shanti MathiasSource: Christchurch City CouncilGet the dataCreated with Datawrapper