The free pass for overdue items coincides with International Children’s Day, and gives children under the age of 12 the opportunity to return their library items without any fines payable.

Children who have long overdue items from any of the City’s libraries can return their books and magazines without any fines during a special Children’s Amnesty Week from 1 to 8 June.

More than 25 000 items are currently outstanding from patrons aged 12 and under.

‘I am delighted that children are excited about books and enjoy reading so much, that they don’t want to let go of the stories that have captured their imagination. It’s a joy we want to share with all our other young patrons and I want to encourage them to return their overdue items, without incurring any fines,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

More than 140 titles in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series are outstanding and they make up nearly a third of the top 30 titles that are oustanding.

Most of the other titles in the top 30 are fairy tales and four Afrikaans titles.

‘When you return your items, you can take out new books and embark on fresh adventures. Reading helps improve your vocabulary and grammar skills, and enhances reading with comprehension. Every new book is an opportunity to grow and learn,’ said Councillor Van der Ross.

Apart from the fine free initiative, a number of City libraries will host activities to mark the occasion, including:

Claremont Library will hold a story hour and craft session on Wednesday, 1 and 8 June 2022 at 10:00 for children up to the age of three and their caregivers

Bellville Library will host the Born-to-Read Story Times for babies and toddlers, on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00

Milnerton Library will have a Pram Jam session with sing-along- songs, nursery rhymes and shakers on Thursday, 2 June at 11:00 for tots aged up to five years

Pinelands Library will host Pinelands schools for sessions of story time at the library every day from 1 to 6 June. As part of the invitation communication to schools, they were encouraged to announce the amnesty week and request the children to return outstanding books. If schools are interested in booking a class for a session with the library, they can contact Marlene at marlene.davids@capetown.gov.za 021 530 7160

Dunoon Library will have a number of events for children aged three to six between 10:00 and 15:00. These include storytelling on 1 and 6 June, storytelling and colouring in on 2 June, storytelling and educational games on 3 June

Southfield library will host a pram jam on Wednesday, 8 June at Plumstead Park (between Lympleigh and Rotherfield Roads) from 11:30 to 12:30

Table View Library will host a storytelling session on 7 June from 09:00 to10:00. Activities include rhyme time, sing-a-long, reading of a story and fun craft session

Brooklyn Library will host a story and activity on 1 June from 10:00 with the Teddy Den Crèche about book care and the importance of returning library books

Lansdowne Library will host storytelling on 1, 6 and 8 June from 10:30

Brackenfell Library will host story time at various playschools and aftercare facilities

Simons Town Library will hosting a Teddy Bear story time on 4 June from 10:00

Woodstock Library will host a toddler story time on Tuesday 7 June at 10:30

Source: City Of Cape Town