Just over 40% of all outstanding items from City libraries were returned during this month’s Fine Free Week. The Wimpy Kid, Peppa Pig and Harry Potter were among those who found their way home.
Fine Free Week saw the return of 12 442 items valued at R1 622 008, less than half of the total number of outstanding items of 29 848 valued at R 3 680 361.
‘I want to thank everyone who made the effort to return their overdue items. Every fine free week is an opportunity for patrons to avoid paying penalties and for our libraries to get back valuable stock. Resources are at the heart of library operations, so help us to keep this vital lifeline going by returning outstanding material’, said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
The top 10 books and number returned:
| Title of Book | Books Returned |
| Wrecking Ball – Jeff Kinney | 12 |
| No brainer – Jeff Kinney | 10 |
| The deep end – Jeff Kinney | 9 |
| James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl | 7 |
| The last straw – Jeff Kinney | 7 |
| Tippie en die hen – Jose Palmer | 7 |
| Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone – J. K. Rowling | 6 |
| It’s not summer without you – Jenny Han | 6 |
| Peppa goes swimming – Mandy Archer | 6 |
| Reckless – Lauren Roberts | 6 |
Registered library members can access the City’s digital offerings by visiting e-resources (capetown.gov.za). eBooks and audio books are available to access or download via the Overdrive Digital Platform or the Libby App on smart devices.
Access to more than 7 000 local and international newspapers and magazines are available to access or download via the PressReader platform OR app.
Access the online catalogue at opac.capetown.gov.za.
The full catalogue of free services and programmes is available here: https://bit.ly/4pUt2QH
