Union Ridge Elementary School families helped clear 74 outstanding student library fines last month, fully replacing every missing book and restoring library access for affected students.
The project began when librarian Jubilee Roth created an Amazon wish list of replacement titles and shared it with families through ParentSquare. Many fines were tied to books lost years ago, including by students now in middle and high school, according to a Ridgefield School District news release.
More than 30 books were purchased in the first week. After Roth posted the list a second time, the remaining titles were purchased within an hour, clearing every fee.
“This takes a burden off of the families and brings the books back into the library,” Roth said in the release. “It allows those students to check out additional books. I always let kids check out books, but this allows them to check out even more since they don’t have any fees attached to their account.”
School leaders said the effort reflects the generosity of the Ridgefield community, noting families also recently fulfilled the school’s Spirit Giving Tree.
“This is a perfect example of what makes our community so special,” Roth said. “People were super generous and quick to help, and I just want to extend a great big thank you to everyone.”
At the elementary school library, students may check out books for three weeks and renew them as needed. Books become overdue when they are 30 days late. After additional weeks without return, district policy requires converting the book to a fee. Families who return the book within six months of paying the fee are eligible for a refund, and many choose to replace books directly, which is often quicker and more cost-effective.
