Chicago library waives fines

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CHICAGO, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The Chicago Public Library said it recovered 6,854 materials on the first day of its amnesty period, including 773 that were more than six months overdue.

Officials said the materials were returned Monday, the first day of a three-week amnesty period forgiving all fines for overdue materials returned during the event, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

Workers said a book checked out March 15, 1975, was the oldest book to be returned under the amnesty as of Tuesday afternoon. The man told librarians he found the book, "Fluidic Systems Design Guide," recently while cleaning his home.

"It's like Christmas for all of us here," said Ruth Lednicer, Chicago Public Library marketing director. "We get to tell them, 'Your fine is zero.'"

The program, the library's first complete amnesty in 27 years, is titled "Once in a Blue Moon Amnesty" in honor of the Aug. 31 lunar event.