Library cardholders with overdue materials or outstanding overdue fines will have them automatically forgiven during the month of December, according to the Traverse Area District Library (TADL).

Cardholders can drop by any TADL network location to check out materials December 1-31, and all fines will be forgiven and borrowing privileges restored. Library Director Michele P. Howard proposed the idea at the TADL board's November meeting.

“The holiday season is a busy and expensive time of the year, so this is our way of saying thank you for being our patrons,” says Howard. “We also know some patrons might have a book that was due three years ago, been afraid to return it, and thus no longer use the library.”

The Fine Forgiveness only applies to overdue fines accrued on a borrower’s account. Any other charges for lost or damaged items, returned check fees, or collection agency fees are the responsibility of the library cardholder. In addition to Fine Forgiveness, Howard says that TADL is having a contest to see who returns the longest overdue book. The winner will receive a gift card to the bookstore of their choice.