New Haven Free Public Library's Amnesty: return the overdue books NOW and your fines will be forgiven

[Voytec Wacowski]

New Haven Free Public Library offers New Year’s resolution to the public

Return books with no overdue fees to Readmobile at Fair Haven Branch on Tuesday, Jan 4th from 8:30 am - 10:00 am - you can also return books in the system’s book drops located at the building.

SOURCE

The New Haven Free Public Library is offering a 2011 New Year’s Resolution to the public: bring back your overdue books to the library during the week of January 3 - January 8, 2011 and your fines on those books will be forgiven. 

The public library is resolved to make it easier for people to return overdue books and start the New Year with their library services completely restored. “We want to make it easier for our customers to not only return overdue books, but to restore services so they can, once again, rely on their public library for early childhood literacy ideas, homework assistance after school and access to job and employment resources,” notes City Librarian Christopher Korenowsky. “The Library Board of Directors felt very strongly about offering this Fine Forgiveness Week and I, along with our staff, welcomed the opportunity”.

Fine Forgiveness Week will be launched Monday, January 3rd at 10:30 am on the Library’s Readmobile parked at the Green across from the Main Library on Elm Street. Mayor John DeStefano will join City Librarian Christopher Korenowsky, Library Board and Library Patrons Board Members to proclaim the week as officially opened and to offer a helping hand as overdue books are returned. 

"Our New Haven Free Public Library branches are important resources in our neighborhoods that we encourage residents to use," said Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. "This forgiveness week is an important opportunity for residents to bring materials back to their libraries so that others can enjoy them. In these difficult financial times as we work to do more with less, we must make good use of what our libraries offer and ensure that books and other items are available to share." Elsie Chapman, President of the Library Board of Directors added ”it’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to return overdue books without incurring any fines. A win-win for all. We’re hoping that everyone will look under their beds, in their closets, and in backpacks and briefcases to find books that they’ve been meaning to return to the Library but just never got around to it. Let’s get all those books back into circulation!” 

Throughout the week, the Readmobile will visit the neighborhood branches lending a library face and presence before the branches open. The schedule includes Fair Haven Branch on Tuesday from 8:30 am - 10:00 am, Stetson Branch on Wednesday from 10:00am - 12:00 pm, Mitchell Branch on Thursday from 8:30 am - 10:00 am and Wilson Branch on Friday from 10:00 am -12:00 pm. If the Readmobile or branch hours aren’t convenient, the public can also return books in the system’s book drops located at each building. 

Fine Forgiveness Week is a prelude to the 2011 change in New Haven Free Public Library’s fines, fees and select meeting room charge structure. Beginning January 10, fines for all books, periodicals, CD’s and books-on-tape, including children’s items, will be .20 cents per day. Fees for all printing and photocopies will be .25 cents a copy.

Replacement fees for lost library cards will be $3.00. The Community Program Room at the Main Ives Library will have a $25.00 fee for groups who utilize it. The soon-to-be completed computer classroom at the Main Ives Library as well as the computer lab at Wilson Branch will have a $25.00 fee for a two hour block of time. There is no fee to utilize the

meeting room spaces in the neighborhood branches.

“The changes in fines, fees and select meeting room charges were not decided upon lightly,” adds Kore nowsky. “The same economy impacting our public is also confronting the city and our public library. As City Librarian I welcome ideas and concerns that the public may want to share and hope that 2012 will deliver a healthier economy.”