From 1 September 2009 Manukau Libraries will no longer be charging overdue fines on any children's or teenagers' material (excluding hire items).
By removing the fines the libraries are hoping to foster a better relationship with Manukau's young people and make visiting the library a more positive experience.
A third of Manukau's population (about 113,000) is below the age of 19. However, only 33 per cent of these young people have a library card.
"Now, without the barrier of overdue fines, parents no longer need to be concerned about their children having library cards," says Mirla Edmundson, manager of Manukau Libraries.
"Parents can join them up as members, encouraging their children to be library users.
"Even though there has been an overall increase in library usage and a 47 per cent increase in teen items borrowed from Manukau Libraries over the last two years, we want to encourage more young people to use libraries, borrow items and gain literacy and study skills."
Existing fines will remain. The removal of overdue fines is for children's material only and does not apply to adult material borrowed on children's cards.