Community Corner

Amnesty Week at JBML: Book Returns Wanted

From Feb. 22 - 28, library patrons can return overdue books without paying late fee, however, fee for overdue books will rise from 10 cents to 25 cents after Feb. 28.

The Following is a Press Release from the :

The James Blackstone Memorial Library is offering “Amnesty Week” from February 22 - 28.  During this time, fines on unreturned materials will be forgiven if the materials are returned. It’s the first time in many years that the library has offered an amnesty program intended to get books and other items back on the shelves and also to bring back library customers who have stopped using the library because their cards have been inactivated due to fines.  This amnesty period does not cover previous fines on patron records. It only covers overdue materials returned between February 22 -28.

This offer comes just before new fees begin on March 1, when the cost for overdue books and other materials will increase from 10 cents a day to 25 cents a day.  We regret that this change has become necessary, but it has been many years since we have increased late fees.  Use of our books, magazines, DVDs and CDs has gone up the past two years and we have noticed that some of our patrons have become neglectful in returning items they have borrowed.  The net result of these trends is that we have fewer resources to offer the community—a community that needs us more than ever in these difficult economic times.  The forces of fiscal restraint and rising costs mean that we cannot always buy replacements and additional copies of items in demand.

Keep in mind that there are several ways to avoid fees:

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  • Call 203-488-1441 ext. 315 to renew your items
  • Access your account online and renew your items (although some items cannot be renewed).
  • Return items, even when the library is closed, in our 24 hour book drop at the back of our building.

As always, our staff will be happy to show you how to log in to your account to renew your items, or answer any questions you may have about your library account.


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