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Chattanooga Public Library unveils Start Smart program: free library cards for ages 0–5, fines waived for youth materials
Summary
Library officials asked commissioners to help spread word about Start Smart, which offers no-cost library cards for Hamilton County children ages 0–5, eliminates fines on youth materials and continues the Read and Ride free-bus-pass partnership; commissioners expressed support but no county funding request was made.
Chattanooga Public Library officials briefed the Hamilton County Commission on Start Smart, a new library initiative that gives free library cards to every county child ages 0 to 5 and eliminates fines on youth materials, and described ongoing partnerships that aim to reduce access barriers.
"We're offering no cost library cards for everyone in Hamilton County from ages 0 to 5," said Willow Hearn, executive director of the Chattanooga Public Library. She told commissioners the library is not requesting county money but asked elected officials to help publicize the program.
The library also plans to waive fines on youth materials, Hearn said, clarifying that the change applies to the material rather than to patrons. "If I were to check out Hop on Pop and I were to return it a couple weeks late, I would not receive any fines," she said. Research cited by the library indicates eliminating youth fines does not reduce returns and may increase circulation.
Lee Hope, the library’s director of youth services, outlined school partnerships and usage figures: the library system has 34,946 active library cards issued to students and teachers through its longstanding partnership with Hamilton County Schools, hosted 14 field trips this school year that brought more than 1,100 students and teachers to branches, and reported about 30 outreach visits reaching more than 3,000 students.
The presentation highlighted the library’s Read and Ride partnership with CARTA, which provides free bus passes for 5- to 18-year-olds. Hearn said the program generated about 13,000 rides over seven months and was extended after a successful summer pilot. The library also reported community programs including a teen volunteer program with over 200 participants last year, a prom-dress giveaway that distributed 192 dresses, a pilot book-delivery program to three schools, and a new educational toy-lending library launched with the UN Foundation.
Commissioners responded positively. "This is a breath of fresh air," Commissioner Grama said, noting the program can reconnect county residents to library services. Several other commissioners thanked library staff and expressed interest in touring branches.
What was not asked: Hearn said the library was not requesting operational funding at this time; the presentation was a request for outreach support.
Documentation: The library said the Read and Ride program received a Partners in Education Award in 2024 and that work has been done to integrate the library’s digital services with Hamilton County Schools’ SOAR app.
