By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Bad things happen to good books. The staff at the Great Bend Public Library understands that. In an effort to keep people coming to the library, Monday, Jan. 16 is Amnesty Day at the library. Any item previously checked out, no matter how long ago, no matter the condition, may be returned that day and removed from the account as a checkout free of charge.
"We're already a no-fines library, but sometimes people still think they owe us fines," said Adult Services Librarian Erin Ferguson. "As long as the item is returned to us in the condition it checked out, we check it in and they have no fines. But if they have a damaged book, they're not coming in because they don't want to pay that fine for the damaged book, so this is a day they get a freebie for that."
Amnesty Day is not only important for the library to get some of its materials back, but Ferguson said it is also important for members of the public who may have damaged a book and avoid going to the library to avoid paying fines. Payment plans may be available for damaged items returned on other days.
"The important thing is we just want to know if that item is ever going to come back or if it's something we need to replace," she said. "We just want people to feel comfortable coming to the library and using our services. We don't want to keep anyone from using the library."
The Great Bend Public Library is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.