Burlington Public Library Eliminates Overdue Fines for Children’s and Teens’ Materials

What?

Burlington Public Library will no longer charge overdue fines for Children’s and Young Adult (Teen) materials.  Existing fines on these items have been cleared.

When?

This policy is effective immediately.  All existing unpaid overdue fines on Children’s or Young Adult materials have already been cleared.

Why?

We are committed to increasing reading and literacies, and combating the “summer slump” that causes students to lose skills between grades.  We have a comprehensive Summer Reading Program to encourage use of the library and reward children for reading.

Overdue fines stop kids and their parents from using the library.  Forty-nine percent of registered library users have fine balances, and twenty-four percent have fines so high that they are blocked from using their library cards.  Youth users whose cards are blocked stop using the library.

Who?

This policy change was approved unanimously by the Library Board of Trustees.  The contact for this change is Library Director Joe Davies (jdavies@burlingtonlibrary.org)

Caveats

• Materials belonging to other libraries will still have overdue fines assessed.
• Fines are based on the material type, not the age of the borrower.  An adult checking out an Elephant & Piggie book for their child would not be assessed overdue fines.  A child whose card is used to check out a James Patterson novel for their parent will be assessed overdue fines.
• All items that are damaged will still be charged for repair or replacement.
• All items that are long overdue will be assumed lost, and a bill will be sent for replacement.

Join us at the Burlington Public Library for “Libraries Rock” this summer! We have a Reading Program where children of all ages can earn prizes by completing weekly bookmarks of fun reading activities. Kids will also have a chance to win a grand prize.

And while you’re here, take advantage of these fun events:

• Summer Registration Begins: Monday, June 11
• First day to turn in reading record: Monday, June 18
• Summer Reading Program Ends: Friday, August 17
• Grand Prize Drawing: Monday, August 20-winners will be notified this week.