No more overdue library fines for kids in Whatcom
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) - Whatcom County library officials want to encourage kids to read, so they have decided to stop issuing fines for overdue library books in the two public library systems as of Jan. 1.
The Bellingham Herald (http://is.gd/iLhsrM ) reports library officials want to support early learning by getting library cards into youngsters' hands.
Parents have told library staff that fines make them reluctant to get library cars for their children.
The change will affect card holders 17 and younger, who check out children and teen materials.
Youths who fail to return items on time will be notified that they're overdue. They will be charged the cost of replacing items that are 60 days overdue.
Young people still will face overdue fines if they check out materials meant for adults and don't return them in time.
The Bellingham Herald (http://is.gd/iLhsrM ) reports library officials want to support early learning by getting library cards into youngsters' hands.
Parents have told library staff that fines make them reluctant to get library cars for their children.
The change will affect card holders 17 and younger, who check out children and teen materials.
Youths who fail to return items on time will be notified that they're overdue. They will be charged the cost of replacing items that are 60 days overdue.
Young people still will face overdue fines if they check out materials meant for adults and don't return them in time.
What a confusing and absurd policy.Â
The Sno-Isle Library System (Snohomish and Island counties) eliminated overdue fines some thirty years (or more) ago and they do quite nicely. They decided that fines were actually counter-productive and cost more in the long run.
Kids still go to the library? I thought that was just a place for homeless to hang out and use the toilet. The dinosaur that is the public library is nearly dead. They are flailing just like Blockbuster Video trying to generate business. Amazon.com and the Internet pretty much did all of them in. In 10 years there will likely be no postal service or public library necessary or feasible.
 @slappywag I highly disagree they are nearly dead. Even rural libraries have been innovating and finding themselves a community niche. If anything, I think libraries in general are busier than they were even a decade ago. They are a great place to go for peace and quiet with reliable wi-fi if nothing else. That alone to me is worth the tax money I pay for them.
 @slappywag The Libraries in my area are usually pretty busy.
@slappywag I think you are wrong about that. I go to the library every couple of week sand every time I go there are plenty of people there checking out books, movies, and cds, working on their homework, using the computers, and sometimes just sitting in an out of the way corner reading a book. In fact, I'd venture to say that there are more people using the libraries now then there were a decade ago because the libraries have evolved. When my life becomes overly busy, I just get on the computer and browse the catalog for new books by authors I'm familiar with, place a hold on the books, and have them delivered to whichever King County Library I prefer. My husband uses the King Country system to check out Kindle books. He just goes online, finds a book he wants, clicks the button and ta-da! the book appears for him to read (in case you're wondering... it also automatically disappears when it's due!).
Encourage kids to read but don't encourage them (or their parents) to be responsible or accountable just like the system has been doing for oh 40+ years. Makes perfect sense. Who are these namby pamby "library officials"? In case they didn't realize - teaching kids these basic concepts as early as possible can make them stronger and better citizens in the long run.
@Brewin4u Yes! Exactly the kind of comment I was going to make! I think those adults who hesitate to get their kids library cards because of the fines are just being lazy. They don't want to take the time to supervise in order to build responsibility. And that's in spite of the fact that the age of computers has made it so easy. My grandkids spend the summer with us and have library cards. I require them to hit the "with receipt" button each time they check out books and then file the receipt (which lists every book they checked out) at home. Before heading to the library for new books, they pull their receipts and bring every book that's on the list to the table. If there are any books they wish to keep longer, they circle those books on the receipt and, if necessary, go on line to renew the books, printing the new due date on the receipt and then filing it away again. They also know that they are responsible for any fines incurred due to late, lost, or damaged books. Last year one of them returned a book that was not properly checked in and they learned a lesson in checking the shelves (it wasn't there), discussing the situation with the librarian, renewing the item in order to stop additional fines from accruing, periodically checking the shelves again as well as checking their account on line to see if the item suddenly appeared as returned. It finally did but the fine for the original late days before we renewed the item was still on the account, so they got another lesson in talking to grownups and explaining the situation in order to have the fine taken off the account. I realize many moms nowadays work outside the home and don't have as much time but I think they need to make time so their children will, as you say, learn to become stronger and better citizens.
So they mean to say that some items actually have 60-day due dates - the earlier due date rules have no teeth so there is no incentive to return the items.
SSSSOOOOO instead of teaching kids to return library books when they are due OR doing extra chores to earn money to pay for said fines, we're just gonna drop em?
Brilliant. Someone actually thinks this will promote reading? Unlikely, but it will certainly encourage irresponsibility, laziness, and less books on the shelves for the responsible folks. Crazy.
If a kid can't read a chapter book in a month as my 8 year old does, there's no need to give them a free ride to not let other's enjoy that same book. Charge the kid a dime and make him get off the dime.
I totally appluad them in the efforts to get kids reading, but now there is no responsibility taught.
We use the library alot and the library books are kept on a different shelf at home and my 12 year old is responsible to use out libraries web-site to track when books are due.
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A"library car??" Wonder what that does in the 1/4 mile....Come on Komo
 @F4I It is an associated press article not KOMO. The AP routinely sources their article to small orphaned school children in rural China. The children are getting better with their English skills.