London,
31
January
2023
|
14:49
Europe/London

Fines amnesty launched by City Corporation libraries

Library users who have accrued fines and not returned overdue items will have all their fines cleared by the Barbican and Community Library Service, as part of a two-week amnesty next month.

Taking ‘Loving your Library’ as its theme, the fines amnesty will run at the City of London Corporation-owned Barbican Library, Shoe Lane, and Artizan Street Library and Community Centre from 11 – 25 February.

Library members who would like to return their items and have their fines cleared should visit the libraries in person during those two weeks.

The scheme aims to support people in the City’s communities with the cost of living, re-engage people with the library service in the wake of the COVID pandemic, and to recover items that might not otherwise have been returned to the City libraries.

Deputy Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Munsur Ali, said:

“The Barbican and Community Library Service’s fines amnesty provides a common sense solution to support our communities, and will help ensure that our libraries see the return of popular books that can then be read and enjoyed by other people.

“Our teams of community librarians are keen to stress that people shouldn’t feel ashamed about returning their items, and they are looking forward to seeing users return during the two-week amnesty.”

The City Corporation, which owns and manages the Barbican and Community Library Service, has launched ‘Destination City’, which will transform the Square Mile, creating a leading destination for UK and international visitors, workers, and residents to enjoy.

With a £2.5 million annual investment from the City Corporation, ‘Destination City’ will drive the Square Mile’s recovery from the pandemic and deliver an exciting events programme, including outdoor festivals featuring music, art, education, sport, and wellness.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Arts, Culture, and Heritage), City of London Corporation / 07795 333060 / andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation, which owns and manages Barbican and Community Library Service, is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK –  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk