Late fees waived for kids at Minot Public Library

The Minot Public Library is working to connect, enrich and inspire children in the area regardless of circumstance.

This past July, the library announced they would no longer charge kids fines for overdue materials.

As of now, the library tells us they have seen an increase in library users since the change.

They say 245 children registered library cards and were added to the system, a more than 63-percent increase from the same time last year.

Over the course of six months an additional 5,000 guests came into the library.

Library Director Janet Anderson says the library wants to remain a welcome space for all families regardless of financial status.

“The library was at an event for children for low income families basically. And we heard a story from one of the staff there that a parent had said to her child 'no honey we can't go to the library we have fines there.' And it kind of got us thinking what is this doing for us? Is it really helping us get material back or is it just keeping people from coming to the library?” Anderson said.

Late fees were also waived for teachers in the area.