Welcome back to you all! I hope you were able to spend some relaxing time with family and friends and read a good book or two. Over the break, I read The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. It is an expertly written novel about a real and very tragic episode in Florida’s reform schools.

Besides reading some great books, myself and the library staff have been working hard to get ready for the spring semester, and we have some exciting announcements to share.

shelf with graphic novels and board games

No more fines

Libraries across the country have started to eliminate overdue fines for most library items, as a way of improving equity in access to library materials and increase overall library usage. Beginning this spring, the library will no longer assess fines on regularly circulating books, dvds, music, and magazines. Items on reserve will still be charged.  Likewise, replacement charges for non-returned and damaged items will continue to be charged.

Relax and Read collection revamped

We have revamped our Relax and Read collection. This collection is on the first floor of the library just to the left of the stairs. Based on library user and staff feedback we have tried to include more genre fiction, and have added graphic novels and board games for checkout.

Welcome back and have a great semester!

Nathan Dowd
Library Director, Oscar Rennebohm Library