Los Angeles County libraries are changing one of their policies that once required patrons to pay late-return fees.
Now, L.A. County Public Library card holders 21 and under can literally read away what they owe in late fees.
Here's how this will work. No matter the amount you owe, you can read to pay your late-fees at a rate of $5 per hour.
CBS News was the first to break this announcement, calling it a "new chapter" for Los Angeles County. The program will be called "The Great Read Away."
LA County Library Director Skye Patrick says "We're not really concentrating on what they're reading so long as they're reading"
Patrick mentioned the idea came about after the library noticed a trend: Many of those kids who racked up debt on overdue books or movies would stop coming to the library altogether.
"...this program is really to invite them back into the library, to make libraries accessible to them and their families," Patrick said.
Since the program launched last year, LA County said its more than 80 libraries have logged more than 50,000 reading sessions and reinstated more than 13,000 previously blocked accounts.
Parents: How do you feel about L.A. County Libraries doing this? Is this something you'd like to see your children participate in? Leave your comments