The Haverhill Public Library has eliminated late fees on materials geared to youth and teens. (File photograph)
Youth and teens in Haverhill are able to keep more allowance money in their pockets, with the Haverhill Public Library’s decision to eliminate all late fees for materials geared to readers in those age groups.
The new policy takes effect on Monday, Dec. 10, with any item catalogued as a youth or teen item—including audio/visual materials—will no longer accrue late fees. All outstanding fees associated with those items will be wiped out. Lost item replacement fees still apply.
“In an effort to promote youth literacy and remove any financial barriers to the Library’s collection, the Trustees voted unanimously to institute this change,” Library Director Sarah Moser told WHAV in a statement.
The Haverhill Public Library is among one of several city agencies and nonprofits eager to promote literacy citywide. The Library, along with WHAV and the Haverhill Public School system, among others, have partnered with Haverhill Promise to get all city children reading at grade level by the conclusion of third grade.