By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



For those with overdue library items, this is your lucky week.

For National Library Week, which ends on Saturday, area libraries are giving a break to patrons who have racked up fines for overdue materials.

Coupons are available at the public libraries in Warrior, Fultondale and Gardendale. They are good for $5 off of overdue fines.

The coupons expire Saturday evening.

“It’s a good time to return materials so we can get them back into circulation,” said Suzanne Burdette, librarian at the Fultondale Public Library. “We will waive $5 for overdue fines that have accumulated. This is a good opportunity for people who forgot they have materials or who are scared to bring them back because they’re late.”

The coupons are not valid for lost library items, said Vickie Morton, assistant director of the Gardendale-Martha Moore Public Library.

According to Morton, public libraries have become much more popular in recent months.

With the economic recession affecting pocketbooks nationwide, more people are reportedly turning to their local libraries to check out movies, use computers and more.

The newest item at the Gardendale library, Playaways, has been a big hit, Morton said. Playaways are portable audio books.

“We’ve had a nice response to them,” Morton said. “The children who have checked them out have really enjoyed them.”

Morton said the adult book group is also popular.

To learn more about programs at north Jefferson County libraries, visit gardendale.lib.al.us; fultondale.lib.al.us; or warrior.lib.al.us.