CAPE TOWN - Cape Town libraries have welcomed back 75% overdue items, among them 30 copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Getaway, and 88 copies of different children’s fairy tales.
Patrons of local libraries took full advantage of this year’s National Book Week, and fine free days, to return overdue items during September. Of the 15 159 items which were returned, 2 149 were long overdue (more than a year).
“Each year, we encourage patrons to return overdue items without the fear of being fined and this year we are happy to get back so many of the outstanding items,” said the City’s mayco member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien.
“The city’s libraries are places of knowledge and information for all and they boast a combined collection worth R859 million for the benefit of all our residents. We must ensure these materials are available for our patrons to enjoy, but often, these are targets for thieves, and this is a loss we can ill afford.”
Since 2018 to date, 49 630 items have gone missing or have been stolen. These include 45 819 books, 1 962 DVDs and 1 712 music CDs.
To curb theft, the Library and Information Systems Department will spend R5m over five years to maintain the current book detection system, installing it in more libraries. The City also intends to conclude a contract for the acquisition of replacement parts for the existing book theft detection system, in addition to the purchase of new systems and their maintenance.
To exit the library, patrons walk between the sensing units which are programmed to detect materials fitted with special mechanisms which are deactivated at the checkout counters.
Should the materials not be deactivated, an alarm will sound, alerting staff of the potential unauthorised removal of library materials.
Cape Times