If you have been avoiding visiting the library because of those half-dozen overdue books on your end table, here’s some good news. From today (Sept. 26) through Oct. 2, you can take those long overdue materials back to the library and you won’t have to pay fines for processing or replacement.
It’s Wichita Public Library Amnesty Week. During this week, customers with materials considered long overdue – those that are months or even years past due – can visit any one of the seven Public Library locations and return materials at the front desk with no questions asked and no matter the condition.
“This is an opportunity to reclaim materials but also eliminate customer barriers to using the Library,” says Jaime Prothro, Director of Libraries. “Some customers haven’t returned to the Library because of embarrassment having overdue materials, and we want to show them all the Library can offer.”
Long overdue materials will only be accepted during Amnesty Week, not before or after. For more information, please visit wichitalibrary.org/finefree.
As of August 23, the City Council approved the removal of fines for overdue materials after being told that overdue fines were more a barrier stopping people from using the library than an incentive to return materials on time.