It’s a new year out there  — and as it begins, your five Houston County Public Libraries are happy to announce an exciting new county-wide policy:  as of January 1st, 2019, children’s books and audio books from our region will no longer accumulate overdue fees!

The group decision was an easy one for the library directors from Caledonia, Hokah, Houston, La Crescent, and Spring Grove to make.  Encouraging early literacy is one of our primary goals. Fines, no matter how small, can become barriers for families of all shapes and sizes, eventually preventing them from using our services.  With this new initiative, we hope to welcome back parents and kids who may have avoided the library because of fines on their accounts, while continuing to build goodwill (and great reading skills!) within our communities.   

As a result, we will also be waiving outstanding fines that were incurred on overdue children’s books on current library accounts anytime in the past.   Please note that this change does not apply to adult books or to movies for any age group. In addition, charges for lost or damaged items will still apply.   

Questions?  Give us a call at 896-READ or stop by the Houston Public Library during our regular hours of operation.  We’re delighted to start off the new year with such a positive change — and hope you will be too!