People with overdue library books at home can now return the books at the nearest library, without getting a fine during the fine-free week.
The South African Library Week, or fine-free week as it is known, will run from Monday 18 March till Saturday 23 March.
South African Library Week is the brainchild of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (Liasa), to market library services across the sector to the broader community, civil society and decision-makers. In the Library and Information Services Department (LIS), SALW is an annual opportunity to highlight the role that public libraries play in advancing literacy, by providing free access to information and empowering communities.
“Since SALW 2024 is also an Amnesty Week/Fine Free Week, the aim will be to retrieve as much long overdue material as possible,” says Bronwen Erasmus, the Area Head of Library and Information Services.
“Books can also be donated to any local public library,” says Erasmus.
According to Erasmus, the Covid-19 pandemic is one of the main causes of library materials not having been returned to libraries. Also, some people have not updated their information such as contact numbers, at the libraries, posing a challenge in contacting people.
The fine-free week applies to every citizen in the City of Cape Town and will be available at all 102 service points throughout the City.
