BEE There for a Reader – Pay it Forward Program for Young Readers at the Rock Island Public Library

With Summer Reading approaching, the Rock Island Public Library wants young readers to be able to use their library cards. While RIPL no longer charges late fines, costs for lost or damaged items can add up, and that’s where the library’s “Bee There for a Reader” donation drive can help give a kid a second chance.

“Sometimes, dogs really do eat library books and homework,” said Christina Nobiling, Circulation Director, “Accidents happen, but we do have to charge replacement fees for lost items, or for items that aren’t in a condition where we can circulate them again.” 

The Bee There for a Reader program works like an angel tree, with anonymous bee tags representing readers ages 6-17 whose library accounts have replacement charges of $10 or more. Patrons can choose a tag and anonymously donate any amount of money to help pay down the cost of fees for a child’s lost or damaged items. Once the account charges are under $10, borrowing privileges will be restored. 

The lost-book amnesty program was given a welcome boost by a generous $2,000 donation from Blackhawk Township in Milan, Illinois. The Rock Island Public Library serves this area through a contract with the Milan-Blackhawk-Area Public Library District. 

“All names in the program are confidential, so this is a way for one reader to help another. When a child’s lost-item fees are cleared by a donation, we mail a letter to inform them that a generous, fellow reader helped them to use their library again,” adds Nobiling. Patrons who donate can also pick up a honeycomb soap gift bag as a thank-you, while supplies last. 

Bee-There for a Reader tree donations may be made at the Downtown, Southwest, and Watts Midtown locations from May 1-27. 

For more news about events and services at the Rock Island Public Library, visit the library website, follow library social media, or call 309-732-READ.