County Carlow Library Book Amnesty

Carlow County Library

A great chance to make a clean sweep of library fines during National Spring Clean!

Carlow Branch staff: John Paton, Jonathon Dunne and Gearoid Grant

County Carlow Library Services are inviting the people of Carlow to make a clean sweep of library fines during National Spring Clean. National Spring Clean runs for the month of April, and we at Carlow Library Service, are encouraging all of you to return your outstanding library books… FINE FREE!!!

If you're a reader, "whose eyes are bigger than his belly," then borrowing books can result in fines. If you borrow too many you never finish them all in time, and a few always seem to fall under the car seat. Some books are just destined to be returned late. This Amnesty for your overdue books, is the perfect opportunity to return that library book that has sat at your bedside for so long, it has become a faithful friend!!!!

Even though you've had that copy of "50 Shades of Grey" for several months (come on…don't lie)… you're in luck, when you return it, fine free, to any of the four library branches including Carlow, Tullow, Bagenalstown & Borris during the month of April, you will be in with a chance of winning a prize!!!!

Come in to the Library branch in Carlow and meet our team of 'Library Fine Fixers'. See if you can 'get around' Gearoid, 'cod' Clodagh or 'manage to manipulate' Margaret into erasing those long standing fines…Meet John, Jean and Jonathon who are a terrible tough threesome to convince. Helena and Monica are trashing fines in the Tullow Branch, while Bernie and Brigid are banishing fines in Bagenalstown and in Borris.

Carlow Branch staff: Clodagh Shortall, Margaret Byrne and Sinead Brennan

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To celebrate the Spring Clean Amnesty, the 'Fine Fixers' at County Carlow Library Service are giving out great prizes for the following:

1. The most amusing excuse as to why your book is late….

2. The longest overdue book that is returned…..

“Not only are we welcoming back our older books, but we want to welcome YOU back too” says John Patton, Branch Manager at Carlow Central Library. Many people feel a little embarrassed and self – conscious about monies owing on overdue books and during these difficult economic times, might not have the means to pay fines. This is an ideal opportunity to make a clean sweep and return all of those outstanding books, CDs or DVDs fine free,” he adds.

Clodagh Kinsella, Senior Library Assistant was delighted recently, when she welcomed back “The Encyclopaedia of Association Football” after an absence of 42 years!!!! However, the record in Carlow is held by a book called “Fra Angelico: The Master Painter”, by Aengus Buckley, which was returned last summer, after an absence of 58 years!!!!!!

“The local library is an important community hub – a place for everyone to connect, learn and enjoy, regardless of circumstance and financial means,” said Josephine Coyne, County Librarian. “This Amnesty offered during National Spring Clean when everyone is making a clean sweep of things, is a wonderful time to welcome back patrons to rediscover the pleasures in their local library, which include free access to books, online resources and weekly activities.”

How do I get involved…… gather those oldies…. from the dusty dark corners or from under the couch, and drop them into any of the four branches. A drop-box will be provided in all branches for any who wish 'drop and go'.

Don’t forget to follow the progress as well as the 'tall tales' on Facebook or at www.carlowlibraries.ie.