Starting May 20th, Chanute Public Library patrons can read away their fines at the library over the summer months.
Introducing the new Summer Read Away: for one hour spent reading, patrons will receive $10 off their late, lost or damaged fines from the Chanute Public Library and Chanute Public Library items. For every 30 minutes read or by attending a summer reading program event, patrons will receive $5 off their late, lost or damaged fines from the Chanute Public Library.
“This is like Food for Fines, which we do every fall,” Jeana Lawrence, library director, said. “But this is a free and easy way for families and kids to clear their library cards, just in time for summer reading.”
If a patron has fines, all they need to do is check in with a staff member at the circulation desk and say they want to start their reading time or will be attending a program to write off their fines. The staff member will note what time they started and keep track of their minutes. Then the patron starts reading – they can read a book off the library shelves, bring a book from home, or read an ebook or audiobook on their mobile device or tablet. They must read the entire time – no listening to music or watching a video – or attend the whole program. When they are finished, they will check out with a staff member, who will write off the corresponding amount of fines from their card.
“We wanted to do something to help families who might have a lot of fines on their kids’ cards to clear them off before summer reading,” Lawrence said. “We also wanted to help families clear off their cards before school starts if they get any fines over the summer.”
The program starts May 20th and will last until August 3rd.