Fine Free Cards for Kids!
On Thursday, May 19, 2022, the Board of Trustees unanimously passed two motions concerning juvenile and young adult library cards:
Motion 1: Change the policy to where the age limit would be 0 – 17 years old.
Motion 2: Eliminate fines for card holders up to 17 years for a trial period for 1 year while we do internal research.
What does this mean?
1. Previously, juvenile cards were limited to ages 5 – 17 years old. With motion 1, parents will now be able to get library cards for children from birth to 4 years old.
2. Card holders from 0 – 17 years old will no longer accrue fines on their cards. We are waiving all fines on current juvenile cards. Damaged or unreturned items (checked out for over 8 weeks) will still be billed to a card.
Why are we doing this?
The library should be the one cradle to grave institutions that a person never grows out of. One outgrows public school, but never outgrow access to a public library. Tazewell County Public Library is uniquely poised in our community to effect positive change by eliminating fines for late children’s books. The library has a responsibility to increase equitable access and remove obstacles to the collection.
A child who is told, “No, we can’t check out any books, we have fines,” that memory sticks and could impact that child’s future. Tazewell County Public Library wants to extend a beckoning hand to every baby, toddler, child and teen of this community to welcome them back to their library. We want to encourage lifelong readers and access to books.
What’s Next?
Currently, the Board of Trustees has approved a one year trial period for eliminating fines. We will collect internal data to justify extending beyond the trial period, but we also need to hear how this change positively effects you. Please fill out the Google Form below to tell us your story.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Library Director Erica Hall or Children’s Librarian Lisa Tyson. If you would like to talk to the Board of Trustees about this change, learn how you can can participate in a Board of Trustees meeting here.
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