Librarians in the city have asked avid readers to return more than 22 000 outstanding items, as Fine Free Week, kicks off today. The city says the lost and outstanding items come at a price of almost R3 million.
Several jam-packed programmes are on the cards, to coincide with Fine Free Week.
There will also be a celebration of International Literacy Day on 8 September.
The city says currently, there are 22 775 lost items. These are mainly books but also include study guides and DVDs. The exact cost is R2 927 071.
The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Patricia van der Ross says, ‘We cannot ignore the reality of lost or unreturned items. An item is deemed lost when it hasn’t been returned by the due date for at least 3 months. This deprives other patrons of enjoying the item. Libraries incur a loss, they can ill afford.”
The list of lost items
Top of the list, are the Grade 12 Geography study guide, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Alice in Wonderland, and Little Red Riding Hood.
Patrons are encouraged to return outstanding items
‘This week we want to encourage our patrons to view reading as a fun activity. We want to encourage them to incorporate reading into their daily lives. It is a pleasure being denied to many when items are not being returned,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.
She says the amnesty period will allow patrons to return overdue books and other items without paying a fine.
International Literacy Day
Meanwhile, International Literacy Day, on the 8th of September, highlights the changes and improvements being made worldwide in literacy development.
Van der Ross added, ‘Improving literacy is an integral part of our efforts to close the inequality gap in education and eradicating poverty. “This year’s International Literacy Day theme is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces.
READ: You can find a list of the programmes at City libraries for this week here.
She added it gives us the opportunity to consider the importance of our libraries as literacy learning spaces.
One of the highlights is an author’s fair. This is hosted by libraries in the Helderberg.
Jam-packed sessions
During the week, patrons can look forward to digital literacy sessions, librarian outreaches, and many book and awareness talks.
You can look forward to book launches, and visits by authors and publishers to the Gordon’s Bay, Kuils River, Lwandle, Macassar, PD Paulse, Strand, Somerset West and Melton Rose libraries.
The week will conclude on the 10th.
