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Youngsters who cannot check out books due to overdue fines are invited to take part in the Read Away Your Fines Program offered by the Newburgh Free Library during December and January. It’s an easy and simple program that helps children make a fresh start so they can once again check out books or use the Internet.

Head of Youth Services & Children’s Librarian, Lisa Kochik, says that this sort of program has been offered at numerous libraries including the Queens Public Library in the past and Newburgh has always wanted to try it. According to Kochik, the library’s goal is to “offer kids an opportunity to regain their borrowing privileges, without dependency on parents providing money to them, and then encourage the kids to keep their cards “clean” afterward so that they can enjoy using the library again and feel proud and accomplished that they created that opportunity for themselves!”

For the program, children fill out a “read away your fines” contract and spend time at an Open Reading Session which allows them to read silently in the library for up to 45 minutes at a time. For every 15 minutes that they read, children will earn one Library Buck which equals $1 in fines. This program is for Newburgh Free Library Card Holders Only.

Library Bucks can be earned to pay down fines or to pay for one (1) lost item if it was owned by the Newburgh Free Library. Additional lost items or lost items that were lent from other Libraries will need to be paid for with actual money.

Open Reading Sessions are scheduled during Winter Break on Dec. 21, 22 & 23 from 10am-12pm and every Tues., Wed. & Fri. from 3:30pm-4:45pm during January. Children may bring in required reading for school, a book from home, a magazine or select something to read from the Library. Materials must be reading-level appropriate.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at the Newburgh Free Library, 845-563-3616 or call the main number, 845-563-3600.