Children, Teens: Read Down Your Library Fines

St. Cloud, MN, June 2016: Teens and children can eliminate fines accumulated on their library accounts through a “Read Down Your Fines” promotion taking place this month.

From Monday, June 20, through Saturday, June 25, holders of minor cards at Great River Regional Library (GRRL) can spend time in the library reading to reduce their library fines. The program will be offered at all 32 GRRL locations in Central Minnesota.

It’s not uncommon for young people to accumulate fines because they return items after their due date. But late returns are not always entirely the fault of the children themselves. For example, they may not be able to get a ride to the library, or family members may use a child’s card to borrow items that are not returned promptly. In any case, the library believes that children need to be encouraged to return to the library and to take full advantage of library services, especially during the summer when they are not developing their reading skills in school.

For each 15 minutes of reading at the library during the week of June 20-25, $1 will be waived from fines on the accounts of minors ages 16 and under. The opportunity to read down fines applies only to fines for late return of materials. It does not apply to charges for lost or damaged materials. Parents will be allowed to read down the fines of their young children by reading to them in the library. Procedures at each library may vary. Minors who want to read down their fines should speak with library staff.

The initial “Read Down Your Fines” took place in 2013, following a successful fundraising appeal. The promotion continues to be supported by fundraising, which ensures that the loss of fines does not have a negative effect on library budgets.  

GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. It provides Central Minnesota residents with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.

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