Ref: tn_9006
Date: 31st July 2006

Bring Back Your Books! Libraries Launch Fines Amnesty

Have you been hiding a copy of ‘Treasure Island’ under your bed in fear of returning it to the library and incurring a huge fine? Are you missing out on free Internet access or a chance to sample the latest Arctic Monkeys’ release because you live in fear of returning the Mills ‘n’ Boon you’ve had out since 1992?

Well worry no longer, because Wigan Borough’s libraries are opening their doors to you and your fears of being fined are over. For one week only, from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th August, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is having a fines amnesty in all of the borough’s libraries.

Any overdue books, CDs, DVDs or videos can be safely returned during the fine-free week with users allowed to free up their library cards and get back to exploring their local library.

Taryn Pearson, WLCT’s Head of Lifelong Learning and Information, says, “We hope that those library users who have an overdue item will bring it back to us during the week and will have an opportunity to start using the library again. Library use is an integral part of our vision to get Wigan active. We want more and more people to enjoy our libraries and so we don’t want to exclude those who might have an overdue book or two.”

The Library Service is also concerned by the amount of books that are overdue. Over 12,000 overdue items worth over £120,000 are still out on loan. Leigh Library has the most overdue items – 3241 in all, with the Wiend (1017), Wigan (927) and Ashton Library (919).

Members of the public can return their overdue books, CDs, or DVDs to any Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust managed library, without fear of fining, from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th August. For further information please visit www.wlct.org/libraries or contact your local library.

-ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at c.dunbar@wlct.org.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See www.wlct.org.

Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.

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