IT WAS a book that you couldn’t wait to get your hands on, taking in every word as you dove deeper into its chapters. Now, months – or even years – later, it sits on the shelf, dust covered, after you, like many others, forgot to take it back to the local library after its lease expired. But fear the fine no longer, as Southampton City Council announces a chance to return any borrowed book without being billed. Starting next week, the amnesty fortnight will attempt to boost the city’s library stock, encouraging more locals to use the service. It comes as part of Libraries week, which starts on Monday, October 8. The authority says that it doesn’t matter how long books have been on loan for, or if they are in poor condition, as fines will be cleared and memberships re-activated. The amnesty will last until Saturday, October 20. Cllr Satvir Kaur, council culture leader, said: “We understand that some people are delaying returning to their local library because they are worried about having to pay outstanding fines. “This amnesty is a great opportunity to clear fines and welcome them back to the library, so they can enjoy everything that it has to offer.” During the amnesty, Southampton libraries will be supporting two charities: Basic Bank and the Red Box Project. Basic Bank gives free food and clothing to people in need in Southampton and the Red Box Project gives away free sanitary items to young women in local schools. When items are returned and fines cleared, locals will be encouraged to donate to one of the charities instead. Residents using the service can also renew books online via the library website using your library card and PIN, at www.southampton.gov.uk/libraries. However the council has said that hire charges for DVDs, Music CDs and Spoken Word CDs are not included in the amnesty.