Library Brings Back "Read Down Your Fines Week"

ST. CLOUD - The Great River Regional Library is giving children and teens a chance to reduce their late return fees by reading at the library this week (The 14th-19th).

During Read Down Your Fines Week, children and teens who have collected fines on their library accounts may read at the library to reduce the amount they owe. Fifteen minutes of reading wipes out $1 in fines.

Following the success of Read Down Your Fines weeks in 2013, the Great River Regional Library will repeat the effort this week in recognition of National Library week.

The first Read Down Your Fines week took place in June 2013, when 173 minor cardholders took part. Another 145 took part during the second Read Down Your Fines week in October.

Those who wish to take advantage of Read Down Your Fines can speak to staff at the library. The event is only available to those 16 or younger and it only applies to fines for late returns, not to charges for lost or damaged materials.

In the case of very young children with fines on their cards, parents may read down the child's fines by reading to them in the library.