(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by GRRL.)

In November each year, the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) begins its Year-End Campaign fundraiser, but the 2021 campaign is extra unique.

GRRL plans to announce its extension of its “fines free” efforts in 2022, but the library needs help to get there. With the help of generous donors, the library can remove the financial barrier of fines to allow everyone to explore, learn, and connect in their community. 

“Fines Free,” the popular buzzword amongst libraries across the nation, is the removal of overdue fines on late materials. This means that there will no longer be a fine on checked out materials when returned late. This is important to central Minnesota so that GRRL is free, open, and welcoming to everyone – regardless of financial status and ability to pay back fines. The 2021 Year-End Campaign is supporting and setting the stage for the big change in 2022. 

For those who have never had an issue playing late fees, the library asks patrons to “pay it forward.” The library’s Year-End Campaign is an opportunity to give back and show support of the library going Fines Free. With the help of generous donors, GRRL can make this a reality. Give now in support of GRRL’s fines free efforts at GRiver.org/donate/year-end-campaign.  

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming, and information services.