Libraries Lower Overdue Fines In Exchange For Reading Time

Starting April 1, Yolo County Library cardholders, ages 18 and under, can exchange reading time for overdue fines as part of the “Read Off Your Fines” campaign.

Campaign participants can deduct $1 for every 15 minutes spent reading a book in any of the eight Yolo County library branches.

This program, which has been provided every year for the past six years, is held in conjunction with National Library Week April 10-16. Organizers of the campaign say they hope it will encourage young people to return to the library.

“We hope youth of all ages take advantage of this campaign to lower their overdue fines,” Says Patty Wong, a Yolo County librarian.

According to Yolo County Library policies, cardholders are blocked from borrowing library materials once they owe $10.01.

“The campaign was started to help children who may not have the funds available, to pay down their fines and once again take advantage of library services,” says Administrative Services Analyst Jenny Tan.

Last year, 213 children spent 255.5 hours reading at the libraries during the campaign period. A total of $1,022 was deducted in overdue fines.

The Yolo and Knights Landing branches will run the campaign from April 1 to April 16. The other six branches will join starting April 10.

The county’s smaller branches in Yolo and Knights Landing will run the campaign for more days than the other six locations because they are not open as many hours as the larger branches.

Tan says, “We want to provide the community with additional opportunities for children to take advantage of this campaign.”