Cape Town libraries recover over 12,000 overdue items during Fine Free Week, helping restore valuable resources and encouraging residents to reconnect with reading and learning services.
City of Cape Town libraries recovered more than 40% of outstanding items during the latest Fine Free Week, highlighting strong community support for maintaining access to shared educational resources.
A total of 12 442 overdue items valued at R1 622 008 were returned during the campaign, representing a significant portion of the 29 848 outstanding items valued at R3 680 361.
Popular titles returned included children’s favourites such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Peppa Pig and Harry Potter, demonstrating continued demand for accessible reading material across age groups.
According to Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health Francine Higham, Fine Free Week provides an important opportunity for residents to return overdue items without financial penalties while helping libraries recover valuable stock.
“I want to thank everyone who made the effort to return their overdue items. Every Fine Free Week gives patrons the opportunity to avoid penalties and helps our libraries restore valuable resources. Library materials remain a vital lifeline for education and community development,” she said.
Most returned books included:
- Wrecking Ball – Jeff Kinney
- No Brainer – Jeff Kinney
- The Deep End – Jeff Kinney
- James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
- The Last Straw – Jeff Kinney
- Tippie en die hen – Jose Palmer
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling
- It’s Not Summer Without You – Jenny Han
- Peppa Goes Swimming – Mandy Archer
- Reckless – Lauren Roberts
Residents can also access the City’s digital library services, which include eBooks and audiobooks available via the OverDrive platform and the Libby app on smart devices.
More than 7 000 local and international newspapers and magazines are also available digitally through the PressReader platform.
Library members can access the online catalogue and explore a wide range of free programmes and services designed to support literacy, education and lifelong learning.
Fine Free Week continues to play an important role in reconnecting communities with library resources, ensuring valuable materials remain available for all residents.
