BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Whatcom County librarians will stop fining children for overdue books starting New Year's Day.
Librarians say parents have told them fines make them reluctant to get library cards for their children.
Librarians say they don't to do anything that could discourage kids to read, so they have decided to stop issuing fines for overdue library books as of Jan. 1.
The change will affect card holders 17 and younger, who check out children and teen materials.
Youths who fail to return items on time will be notified that they're overdue. They will be charged the cost of replacing items that are 60 days overdue.
Young people still will face overdue fines if they check out materials meant for adults and don't return them in time.
