The holiday is a fine (free) time to bring back overdue library material

21 June 2025

Libraries will once again provide young patrons with the opportunity to return books without the penalty of a fine. This time around learners are encouraged to return books during the first week of the winter school holiday.

The City’s Libraries and Information Service will have a fine free week for patrons up to the age of 17 during the week of Monday,  30 June – Saturday, 5 July 2025. The amnesty applies at every City of Cape Town public library. Patrons may return the items to any branch, regardless of where they were borrowed.

‘The Fine Free week during the school holiday is a wonderful opportunity for young readers to return books and to enjoy the many activities at libraries. It is also an opportunity for learners to join and become a member at their nearest library. Our libraries are popular knowledge centres to visit with family and friends and we sincerely hope that late items will be returned so that other patrons and new members also have an opportunity to enjoy a returned item. Let us all support this initiative to return library material to the shelves where they belong,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

Items that are covered during the amnesty week includes all overdue children’s and young adult books, comics, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs and CDs.

It should be noted that replacement fees for lost or damaged items will still apply with only late-return fines that are waived.
The objective of the fine free week is to give young readers a clean borrowing slate for the new term.

Below a list of the top ten books outstanding (children and young adult books)

To make the week more interesting, library personnel will pair the amnesty with indoor holiday activities, such as anime drawing workshops, coding boot camps, chess tournaments and mobile science centre visits.

The previous Fine Free week which took place during the South African Library Week (17 to 23 March 2025), saw 13 178 library items returned.

Residents are invited to join one of the 102 libraries across the metropole.

To join a library, visit your nearest facility today. Once a registered  you’ll be able to check out your first batch of books on the same day.

For more detail on how to become a member please visit: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/Information-and-learning/Register-for-a-City-library-membership

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office