If you’ve been sitting with a book (or a few) from the library for far too long and have been avoiding facing the music of a late return, this is your chance to get back in the library’s good books. It’s Fine Free Week, which means you’ll be able to return any library items scot-free!
South Africa (17 March 2025) — They sit patiently on our shelves as we avoid making eye contact. They’re the trigger to late-night anxiety, the to-do list item that falls to the bottom of the list, and the ‘I’ll get to it tomorrow’ that lurks in the back of our minds. Yes, our over-due library books are a guilt-inducing bunch, even more so when you’re very, very late to reunite them with the library. If only there were a Fine Free Week in which you could sneak back to the library peacefully…
Well, there is. And if you’re looking to get back into your local library’s good books, this would be the time to do it!
As part of South African National Library Week (running from 17 to 23 March), borrowers can return over-due library items scot-free through Fine Free Week.
This means no penalties, no fuss and no more late-night anxiety or fears of running into your librarian in public.
In Cape Town, there are 40,112 overdue items, estimated at a value of R4.6 million!
“Every returned book means another child gets to experience that story, or another student can prepare properly for exams,” says Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham.
“Returning these materials isn’t about avoiding fines, it’s about strengthening our community resources. We encourage all residents to help these outstanding books, CDs, DVDs and magazines find their way home.”
“Think of this as a library amnesty week. No questions asked and no penalties applied. We simply would like the more than 40,000 missing items back in circulation where they can benefit everyone in our community.”
Jeff Kinney’s ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ series dominates the most-wanted list for another year, with 30 copies of ‘Wrecking Ball’ alone waiting to find their way home.
A Love Letter to South African Libraries
Beyond giving borrowers a clean slate, South African National Library Week is also a love letter to local libraries that encourages new membership and spotlights library roles in our communities.
This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating Sustainable Communities’. In Cape Town, libraries across the city are hosting upcycling workshops (to teach creative ways to reuse materials), panel discussions on building greener cities, literature story times and digital literacy sessions for all ages!
“Libraries are the ultimate example of a sustainable community resource. One book can educate and entertain hundreds of people over its lifetime; but only if it’s available on our shelves,” adds Councillor Higham.
So, make a comeback, join in as a new member or simply stop by to celebrate with your favourite library.
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