NCCO Amnesty Week Waives Fines at Libraries

The Bear Library in Governor's Square shopping center.

If you are harboring overdue library materials, you have been given a window of opportunity to return them without having to pay the fine.

New Castle County has declared the week of April 13 as Amnesty Week, and will offer fine forgiveness to anyone who returns their overdue items before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

“We must fundamentally change the cultural norm that it is OK not to return your library materials. This is a great incentive for delinquent library borrowers to clear their accounts and their past due record,” said Anne Farley, Department of Community Services general manager.

“Equally important, returned overdue library materials can once again be accessible to our patrons. There are 34,597 library patrons owing a total of $547,229 in fines.”

After Amnesty Week, New Castle County libraries will be enforcing stricter rules for borrowing and people with outstanding fines. After April 18, a collection agency will acquire payment from 212 patrons who own more than $250 in fines.

Since 2006, more than 25,000 books, DVDs, audiotapes and CDs valued at nearly $500,000 have not been returned to libraries. With the across the board budget cuts, funds for replacing these lost books and materials has been reduced by $400,000 for 2009.

“New Castle County has a strong library system that our residents value. Ensuring our libraries are retaining their materials and appropriately collecting fines is another example of how we are working to increase fiscal responsibility and efficiency across County government,” County Executive Chris Coons said.

“Instituting a stricter borrowing policy, aggressively tracking down those who have accumulated excessive fines, and offering a chance to return materials with no penalty will help keep our libraries strong, especially during these tough economic times,” he added.

Starting in July, new customers will be issued a 6-month temporary library card and will only receive a permanent card if they have a zero overdue balance. Also, they will only be allowed to borrow up to 12 items at a time. Public internet access will be blocked for anyone owing more than $5 in fines.

For more information about Amnesty Week and the new cardholder policy, please call your local library or visit www.nccdelib.org.