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The Great Read Away

Los Angeles Libraries Started “The Great Read Away” Program That Allows Kids to Read Books to Clear Their Late Fees.

By eliminating late fees, local libraries are providing a way out for such book lovers while also creating new lures for other children who still need to catch the reading bug. But did you know how Los Angeles libraries address this concern with more reading?

The Los Angeles Public Library launched “The Great Read Away,” a program that allows children to read books to avoid late fees. Over 3,500 previously “locked accounts” were cleared in the program’s first six months, and now 80% of parents are more likely to allow their children to visit the library.

An Effective Program to Promote the Love of Reading

Sergio Garay, a sixth-grade student at Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School, enjoys visiting his local branch library in East Los Angeles. He enjoys the library so much that he goes there almost every day after school to read and study.

Sergio was in danger of losing his library privileges recently because he’d been reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, a popular preteen page-turner.

I put the book in its proper place, and then it vanished. Many people steal other children’s books.

Sergio Garay, Student, Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School

The cost of replacing that book exceeded $10; any time a cardholder’s fines exceed that amount, their borrowing privileges are suspended. Sergio didn’t have that kind of money, so he couldn’t find out what happened to the Wimpy Kid and was barred from borrowing any other books.

The Los Angeles Public Library launched The Great Read Away, a program that allows children to read books to avoid late fees. Over 3,500 previously locked accounts were cleared in the program’s first six months, and now 80% of parents are more likely to allow their children to visit the library. (Source: CS Monitor

How Did “The Great Read Away” Program Help Kids?

A short survey with some parents and over 80 percent of them tell us that they’re more willing to bring their kids to the library and let them check out materials because we now have the Great Read Away. They know that if fine results because of a book forgotten at home, then their child can read down the fine.

We do a short survey with some parents and over 80 percent of them tell us that they’re more willing to bring their kids to the library and let them check out materials because we now have the Great Read Away. They know that if a fine results because of a book forgotten at home then their child can read down the fine.

Darcy Hastings, Assistant Library Administrator for Youth Services.

Hastings cites research examining a critical period in all children’s lives, right around the end of third grade, when their education shifts from learning to reading to reading to learning. It’s like learning to play the trumpet or running the quarter mile: You must practice getting good at it.

If reading down a fine can encourage just a little more practice, that’s great. Kids practice reading, their library cards can be used again, and they check out more books and read more. Everyone wins.

Darcy Hastings, Assistant Library Administrator for Youth Services.

(Source: CS Monitor)