Manchester's public libraries want more kids to read. So they've decided to get rid of  the late fees. Now, if a kid checks out a book and forgets to take it back, that's OK.

According to WMUR-TV, eliminating the fines will cost the library about $8,000 per year. But administrators will work with the city of Manchester to find other ways to make up for the cost.

Library officials told WMUR that a lot of kids were staying away from the library because they couldn't afford the fines for turning a book in late.

When I was a kid, I loved to read. But the library was 3 miles from my house. On the days my mom couldn't...or wouldn't give me a ride...I'd walk to the library, both ways,  usually with an arm full of books.  And yes, I would occasionally have a late fee.

I think this move by Manchester's libraries is a good one. Sure they're going to lose some money...and that's never good. But we have to be realistic. Not every family's schedule goes as planned. And we can't complain about kids spending too much time on their phones if we don't give them some sort of incentive to read more. I'm not sure if this is the way to go about it...but it's worth a try.

I just can't help but think of that episode of Seinfeld about the library cop. Remember this one?

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