Thirty thousand library items are still outstanding from the City of Cape Town
Thirty thousand library items, worth nearly R1 million, are still outstanding from the City of Cape Town.
In March, the municipality appealed to patrons to
return some 40 000 items, as part of its fine free week that coincided with South
African Library Week (SALW). These items cost the City an estimated R4,6
million which had not been returned in 2022.
‘’There are still more than 30 000 of these items
outstanding, but we want to applaud and thank patrons who have heeded the call.
During the school holidays many more people have the opportunity to visit the
library looking for constructive ways to fill their time. The items returned
can now be recirculated to delight and inform many others,' said Mayco
Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross.
PICTURE: PixabayVan der Ross said a total of 7 308 items (excluding magazines),
valued at R827 341, were returned. At the top of the pile were seven copies of
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The last straw, by Jeff Kinney. Ten copies of the book
are still unaccounted for.
Other popular returns included Goldilocks and the three
bears, Rooikappie, a Grade 12 Life Sciences study guide, Percy Jackson and the
battle of the labyrinth and Where's Wally Now?
‘’We're very happy that Wally found his way back to the
library, because unreturned items means that the pleasure of enjoying these stories
and resources is lost to others, but also impact the library service
financially,’’ said Mayco Committee Member for Community Services and Health,
Patricia van der Ross.
‘’Apart from the returned items, another highlight has been
the many programmes that our libraries hosted over the school holidays to keep
the little ones busy. A number of activities kept the boredom at bay and a huge
part of that is the large number of items on offer to take out and enjoy at
home. There is always time to return books or other materials, so don't think
you've missed the opportunity,’’ she added.
Done By: Mitchum George
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