Teaneck Public Library Announces Fine Amnesty Week for Children

Teaneck, NJ – The Board of Trustees of the Teaneck Public Library have announced a Fine Amnesty Week for Children, June 17 through June 23, to celebrate the start of Summer Reading. To be eligible for the amnesty, children ages 5-18 must register for the library's Summer Reading program and present their valid Teaneck library card to a librarian in the Youth Services Department.

The amnesty will be a one-time courtesy, apply only to late fees, and juvenile cardholders will still be responsible for any material replacement costs. Juvenile patrons with outstanding materials are strongly encouraged to return them during this amnesty to have the resulting late fees waived.

“Late fees for library materials can present a substantial barrier to access for many children and teens who do not have funds to pay late fees, and instead stop visiting the library altogether,” says Library Director Allen McGinley.

“This problem is particularly acute during the summer when young people need access to the library even more to avoid the decline in literacy and academic skills that children often suffer during times that schools are closed.”

For more information on the library’s Summer Reading program and the Fine Amnesty Week for Children, Teaneck residents are encouraged to visit teanecklibrary.org or call 201-837-4171 ext 4.