The Board of Library Trustees will vote Tuesday on whether or not to forgo fines on children’s library cards when they turn 12 and 18.

According to a report by library management staff, library personnel had noticed for years that children’s library cards were often blocked due to the actions of their parents or caretakers rather than of the children themselves. This has resulted in items being returned late and fines adding up above the $10 threshold which prevents them from checking out additional materials or even using the library again.

“These children are penalized for something they cannot control and results in their inability to check out items they need for school or just for fun and exploration,” staff wrote.

As a result, management are proposing that the library automatically waive overdue fines at the age of 12– when students generally complete their first year of middle school– and again at 18– when students typically graduate from high school. Lost and damaged items would remain on students’ library cards, however. Staff wrote that the change would fit with teen librarian Brandi Bette Smead’s collaborative project with Benicia Unified School District to create library cards for every student enrolled in the district.

In other matters, the trustees will vote to approve a policy on video surveillance in the library, Circulation Supervisor Fran Martinez Coyne will provide the 2018 Circulation Report and the technical services manager will provide the 2018 Technology Report.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Edna Clyne Room of the Benicia Public Library, located at 150 East L St.

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