In the wake of data showing 12,000 missing books and 32,150 overdue items across Brisbane’s 1.4 million library collection, Brisbane City Council launched its ninth annual Christmas amnesty.

In exchange for a donation of canned food for Foodbank Queensland, borrowers can return missing books, DVDs and other items to any of Brisbane’s 33 libraries without paying overdue fees.

Lifestyle and community services chairman Peter Matic said the amnesty would run during December.

“The library amnesty is a great opportunity to return those overdue books, to get them back on the library shelves so everyone can enjoy them and at the same time, make a big difference to those in our community doing it tough over the festive season,” Cr Matic said.

Last year’s amnesty prompted the return of 3469 books that were previously considered lost.

Elsewhere in south-east Queensland, Logan City Council revealed 23,849 books, DVDs and CDs had gone astray from its 510,000-strong collection.

Logan's lifestyle and community chairman Steve Swenson said the missing items equated to less than 5 per cent of the collection and insisted most overdue items were returned.

“As Logan does not charge overdue fines, we do not run an amnesty period,” he said.

“Overdue fines can prevent families from visiting libraries, limiting access to the valuable services they need.

“The run-up to Christmas is an ideal time to declutter and return any library books lying around so your library card is clear to borrow for the holidays.”

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the council hoped to see the return of 7133 missing items.

Instead of an amnesty, it blocks library users from any further borrowing until the overdue and missing items are returned.

Redland City Council libraries reported 2490 items missing, which equated to 1.25 per cent of the entire collection.

And Somerset Regional Council had just 122 missing books across its four libraries in Esk, Toogoolawah, Kilcoy and Lowood.

Its policy is to send borrowers an invoice for the replacement cost if items are not returned within 120 days.

While Scenic Rim mayor Greg Christensen was unable to reveal the precise number of missing books, he said it was about 0.14 per cent of the collection.

“We can’t tell you which books go missing but our observation is that books in the category of personal growth - mindfulness, kindness and organisation - are often the most overdue, and returned in the poorest condition.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council said the number of missing items was less than 29,000.

Ipswich and Gold Coast councils refused to provide statistics on their missing library books.