CHILDREN’S AND TEEN MATERIALS ARE FINE FREE AT THE MATHESON MEMORIAL LIBRARY

• What?

Effective January 2019, the Matheson Memorial Library no longer charges overdue fines for Children’s and Young Adult (Teen) materials.  Existing fines on these items have been cleared.

• Why?

Monetary fines present an economic barrier to access of library materials and services, and eliminating fines increases library usage.

We are committed to increasing reading and literacy, 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.

• Who?

This policy change was approved unanimously by the Library Board of Trustees.  The contact for this change is Library Director Lisa Selje (lselje@elkhorn.lib.wi.us).

• 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.