With vacation week coming up and young people out of school, I thought I would pass along a bit of information I gleaned from the most recent issue of “Speaking Volumes,” the Bangor Public Library Newsletter.

Library Director Barbara McDade addressed the issue of overdue fines, noting that “one of the biggest excuses I’ve heard for not using the library is fear” of incurring them.

She even went on to state that “many people avoid talking to librarians, because the problem of fines may come up.”

Apparently, McDade continued, they’re afraid they may blurt out something about “that book I borrowed in third grade” and never returned.

So, McDade has come up with a terrific idea for young readers who don’t want to be afraid to speak to their favorite librarian whenever they see her or him.

The BPL is sponsoring a “get-rid-of-your-fines” event just for children.

For young people, February is “Read for Fines” Month at the Bangor Public Library.

Instead of paying a fine, a child can read at the library and for every 15 minutes of reading $2 will be erased from any overdue fines owed.

McDade and her staff hope “it will be a fun way to pay a debt.”

Library staff also would appreciate hearing from adults who are willing to help with the project by listening to a child read or supervising reading tables.

This appears to be an excellent way for any young library user to get rid of any overdue fines, and I hope it is very successful.

By the way, fines aren’t all that bad.

McDade reports the library raises about $40,000 a year from fines so, if you have to pay, remember when you do that your fine is helping support this wonderful community asset.

If you have questions about the Read for Fines project, call the library at 947-6694 and ask for the Children’s Department.

Parents, relatives and friends of babies in the Lincoln area might like to know the “Beautiful Baby Contest to Benefit Jerry’s Kids” begins Saturday, Feb. 14, and runs through Sunday, March 21, at Wal-Mart in Lincoln.

Parents can enter their babies by bringing a 3-by-5-inch photo to the store’s customer service desk.

The $5 entry fee will be applied toward your baby’s vote count.

Pictures will be displayed on a “Baby Board,” and individuals can vote for the one they think is the most “Beautiful Baby,” for $1 per vote.

Ballots will be provided to recruit “votes,” and the baby receiving the most votes (dollars) will be declared the winner.

Ballots must be returned by March 21, and the winners will be announced Wednesday, March 24.

Certificates of appreciation and other prizes will be awarded, depending on the amount of money raised to support the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

For more information, visit the Lincoln Wal-Mart or call the Maine MDA office in Portland at 878-3749.

The Bangor Daily News recently received a letter from the family of Spc. Travis Rigsby of Fortson, Ga.

His family thanks the Bangor International Airport “troop greeters” for being there at 4 a.m. on a January morning when Rigsby, who had been in Iraq for one year, and fellow soldiers touched down on American soil.

His family members extend a “very heartfelt thank you to your city” and, especially, the troop greeters.

They believe “all the soldiers on that flight will always remember how it felt to be welcomed home to the States in such a caring and giving way.”

They also believe we are fortunate to have such caring people among us and want those greeters to know “how very much we were moved by their show of support for our troops.”

Calling all Eastern Maine basketball tournament fans!

Allison Bankston, president of the board of directors for Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, wants you to know LVB is sponsoring its 2nd annual “Letters for Literacy” during regular business hours Saturday, Feb. 14, through Saturday, Feb. 21, at the booth outside Filene’s in the Bangor Mall.

Fans are encouraged to buy letters to promote their favorite high school basketball teams.

The letters are $1 each, and all proceeds will help LVB teach adults how to read.

Each participating school will have a board to decorate, and prizes will be awarded to schools with the best boards.

Raffle prizes are available, too, including a Washburn acoustic guitar signed by the rock group 3 Doors Down.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.