On Monday, July 27, the Cape May County Library began its amnesty campaign to forgive overdue fines on patron accounts. Overdue fines charged on a patron’s account prior to the library’s closing on March 17 can be forgiven. This campaign will run through September 8, 2020, and excludes charges for items not returned, damaged, or materials with missing parts. The library is also accepting all items that have not been returned or are long overdue. Patrons can return these items in the book drop, regardless of condition, and the overdue fines can be forgiven. Library patrons who wish to seek amnesty can call their local branch or can submit an online request by visiting bit.ly/cmclamnesty.
“During a time of financial stress, the Cape May County Library understands the hardships many families are facing due to COVID-19,” said Freeholder Hayes. “In an effort to bring more patrons back to the library during the pandemic, the library is forgiving overdue fines so that residents can still enjoy the library.”
If patrons prefer to pay for fees on their accounts, they may do so by check only. Checks may be mailed to any library location or can be dropped off at a curbside table. When dropping off checks, the library asks that patrons call their branch to inform them of the check’s location. Checks placed on a curbside table will be quarantined, similar to items returned in the book drop.
The Cape May County Library operates branches in Cape May City, Lower Township, Wildwood Crest, Cape May Court House, Stone Harbor, Upper Township, Sea Isle City, and Woodbine. The Library has books, audiobooks, downloadable eBooks, video games, music, magazines, and movies. For the safety and wellbeing of our staff and patrons, Thursday and Friday bookmobile services are temporarily on hiatus.
For more information, please call the Cape May County Library at 609-463-6365 or email outreach@cmclibrary.org.
