TIDBIT

"Work that library card. And keeping it working. Early on, we recognized how many young adults were not accessing library services after their borrowing privileges had been suspended because of fees owed. Queens Library began the Read Down Your Fees program...for those sixteen and under. For every hour they read in the library, $2 is deducted from their account balance. We don't care what they read -- graphic novels, school assignments, Web pages -- but they have to read."

In addition, the library trained the staff to recognize that everybody serves youth, created a friendly environment and engaged young adults with programming.

>From "Flipping It: How Queens Library Is Turning "Gangs" of Teens into
Its Biggest Success Story," Voya: Voice of Youth Advocates (June 2008).