The latest Fine Free Week – an amnesty period where patrons can return overdue items without paying the accrued penalties – had librarians at the Central library stumped, when a book was returned 24 years after its due date.

Fine Free week took place from Monday March 17 to Sunday March 23, during South African National Library Week.

The book, French Cinema by Roy Armes, covers the history of the French film industry, and was originally due for return on 8 March, 2001.

The person who borrowed the book moved extensively both locally and internationally, and discovered the book while sorting through stored belongings and decided to return it during the library’s Fine Free Week.

The book is no longer listed on the current library system, so there is no record of it, except the date sheet in the book.

Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Francine Higham, said this was arguably one of the oldest books to find its way back during Fine Free Week. "It’s not lost on us that the book itself is historical in nature. While it is still usable, restoration is not an option, but the patron has offered to buy the book, should it not be returning to the library’s shelves.

Of the just over 40 000 overdue items, valued at over R4.6 million, 13 178 items found their way back to the shelves, valued at just over R1.6 million.

"I want to encourage our patrons to please return anything that is still past the due date. The fines for overdue material are modest compared to the replacement cost, so please do the right thing. Fully stocked libraries benefit everyone."

A number of wayward Wimpy Kids too found their way home. The series, by author Jeff Kinney, dominates the list of outstanding items each year.

The library service will host a few more Fine Free Weeks throughout the year, which will hopefully yield some more overdue returns.

Libraries will offer a range of activities to keep young minds occupied during the upcoming school holidays.

A list of programmes at different libraries are available at www.capetown.gov.za/holidayprogrammes

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Book returned two decades after due date