by Mike Mesterton-Gibbons

“York libraries to SCRAP all fines for overdue books”
—The Press

Get ready to return your books for free,
On time or two years late—it matters not
In York, because your city library
Now caters to the absent-minded swot.
Get ready to check out a few more vols
Before you try to find what you mislaid:
York’s going by the book—new protocols
Toss out all fees that once had to be paid …
However, even though you can’t be fined,
Each time your books are overdue, we will
Be sure to let you know that you’re behind
On book returns. And, since you get no bill,
Our hope is that your guilty conscience may
Keep nagging—till you volunteer to pay!