Library holds Fine Forgiveness Week

It’s Fine Forgiveness Week at all branches of the East Bonner County Library District! This week, you can bring in overdue materials and fines will be waived. While this doesn’t include lost or damaged items, you should not hang your head in shame when you drop off your overdue materials.

Myths about library fines

There are myths surrounding library fines that can cause some people to fear bringing their overdue materials back after the due date. Here are a few of them that I have heard:

- Fines are expensive.

- Fines increase every week past the due date.

- Librarians will shame you when you return materials late.

- When you owe materials or fines, it is best to stay away from The Library.

The truth is, you get dinged 50 cents. Fines do not compound over time, nor do we charge late fees on top of the fines. If the item is lost or damaged, and we have to replace it, well, it is only fair to ask you to cover that cost. Otherwise, fines are 50 cents per overdue item. That’s it.

Librarians are highly unlikely to look down their noses at you for returning something late. I might be going out on a limb here, but probably all of them have had overdue materials, too. I know I have. If I had to stay away because of an overdue item, I’d be out of a job.

Even though the per-item fine for overdue materials is only 50 cents, that adds up when you have a lot of items checked out, especially if you have kids. When my kids were still living at home, we would compile all of our materials to be returned to the library before the due date. Inevitably, I would find library books and DVDs in the kids’ bedrooms that had since become overdue. It happens.

If that has ever happened to you, I have good news. The East Bonner County Library District Board of Trustees just made the decision to discontinue late fines for all children’s materials. All junior materials are no longer subject to overdue fines. Fines still apply for all other overdue materials, but now that the myths surrounding late fines have been debunked, that shouldn’t worry you too much.

This new policy applies to junior materials checked out by resident library card-holders only; those who reside in the East Bonner County Library tax district and whose card number begins with P or PSC. People who check out junior materials with their universal card are still subject to late fees. These are patrons who use the East Bonner County Library as a guest from another area.

Take full advantage of Fine Forgiveness Week this week while it lasts and enjoy our new no-fine policy for junior materials. Let us know what you think of this new policy next time you come in, or message us on Facebook or Instagram.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar Street, unless otherwise noted.

- Fridays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 yrs. and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Stories, 11 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Robotics, 3 -5 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Explore STEAM with Lego Mindstorm robotics. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesdays — Explore Virtual Reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First-come, first-served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesday, Feb. 19 — Basic Hand Sewing, 3:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Master the blanket stitch and make a small pillow. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 p.m. Teens meet in Community Room A to play the game, MAGIC. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245 or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Feb. 19 — 3D printing workshop, 5 p.m. in the second-floor computer lab. Design your own 3D printed object and learn some fascinating ways 3D printers are being used. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for this beginner-level class. Register online from the Events calendar at ebonnerlibrary.org or call208-263-6930.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words, 6 p.m. in the YA Reading Area. A creative writing workshop for teens with Beth Weber. Whether you are a poet, penner of short stories, or working on the great American novel, join us at the library to make your literary endeavor come to life. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8.

- Wednesday, Feb. 20 — Marble Mania, 2:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Learn marble games and build marble runs. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Feb. 20 — Cooking for College, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. You will (probably) be broke and you (most likely) won’t have a kitchen. So how can you prepare awesome meals on the cheap and with only small electrical appliances? To find out, join us on a college dorm room culinary journey. Permission Slip Required. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesday, Feb. 20 — Science Cafe: Craft Beer 101. 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Community Rooms. Beer has come a long way in the past 30 years. What was once your Dad’s standard American lager has evolved into an interesting craft beer that surprises and delights the palate. We are pleased to have guest experts Mack Deibel and Cooper Balke from MickDuff’s discuss what goes into their beer, how it’s brewed, how it affects its qualities and what all those words on the beer menu mean to the beer drinker in this new age. Bring your questions and taste buds. Information: 265-2665.

- Thursdays — Infant Lap-Sit Rhyme Time, 10 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Meet other parents and share in free early language and development classes for infants and pre-walkers. For more information, contact Suzanne Davis at208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, Feb. 21 — Origami for Kids, 3:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Free family fun with an origami box craft to take home! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Now through March 15 — The Library’s Winter Reading Challenge. For all ages! A new adult reading challenge is now open! Register for the Winter Reading Challenge to log your reading and read-to-me time for prizes, drawings, and a party! Details at ebonnerlibrary.org. Contact Suzanne Davis for more information:208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle at Dover City Park and “A Hat for Minerva Louise” by Janet Morgan Stoeke at McNearney Park. Read, connect, & get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.