The Guelph Public Library welcomed back 214 prodigal sons and daughters during its Library Fines Amnesty Day event.
The event, held Jan. 23, was an effort to get delinquent library members to start using the library again. Anyone with library fines who visited a branch could have their fines forgiven that day – an initiative that the library has lauded “a great success.” The library waived over $20,000 in outstanding fines, said communications co-ordinator Lisa Cunningham in an email.
“A sense of relief, warm appreciations and huge smiles were expressed by the happy customers who braved the cold weather to return over 5,200 items during the 24-hour excusal period,” a library news release said.
One customer called it the “best birthday gift ever to be able to start using the library again with my family,” it said.
Excuses included the old “the dog ate my book,” and the claim by one customer that lost library materials were “abducted by aliens and randomly appeared under the couch,” it said.
The oldest overdue book returned – Woodie Guthrie’s Bound for Glory – was due back Sept. 6, 1994.
Among the 214 customers welcomed back to the library, there were 25 who hadn’t used the library in more than 10 years. The library also gained 53 new members that day.
Going forward, library customers are reminded that they can sign up for email and text reminders that will notify them two days before items are due. To set up the service, drop into a branch.
Customers can also renew items online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at www.library.guelph.on.ca.