Young people encouraged to return library items without being fined

Young people up to the age of 17 are encouraged to return library items between 16 and 21 December without being fined.

The City of Cape Town is hosting its Fine Free Week and said there are 280 books outstanding for this age category, valued at more than R30 000.

‘’Our fine free weeks have shown good results in the past, and we are hoping for similar outcomes this time around. I encourage our young people to exploit this opportunity and return those books that they may have forgotten about, with no fines payable during the period. I also want to encourage learners to please return any study guides or materials that they used during the exams, so that we can start the new year with everything back where it belongs, and accessible to other patrons,’ said Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

ARCHIVE - Bush Radio's Mitchum George reading a children's book

At the same time, libraries will also launch the Eco-Warrior Reading Programme, which is a collaboration between the City’s libraries and Urban Waste Management Department, Nal’ibali and Read to Rise for children aged nine to 13. The programme, which aims to promote environmental awareness, encourage reading and foster a love for nature, while also addressing the so-called ’summer reading slump’, started on Tuesday and runs until 31 January 2025.

The Reading Programme will address climate change.

‘’The Eco-Warrior Reading Programme is a unique initiative that combines reading, environmental education and climate action. This programme will motivate young people to read and learn – reading also improves writing skills. We would like to encourage our young people to visit the nearest library and get involved, so that they can reap the benefits in the future,’’ Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

Research shows that children can lose between two and three months of reading progress during the holiday periods, primarily due to the lack of engagement with books and other reading material.

 

Done by: Mitchum George