Exchange “Food for Fines” at DeKalb Libraries April 5th-17th

Decatur Metro | March 23, 2010

Want to reduce those overdue fines at the DeKalb Library without breaking those $20s in your wallet or purse?

From the DeKalb Public Library…

This spring, the Library is offering patrons a chance to help needy people in the community and reduce their overdue library fines at the same time. Working in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the Library will deduct $1.00 in overdue fines for each item of food a patron donates, to a maximum of $20.00 in fines.

Food for Fines will run from April 5 through April 17. Library Director Darro Willey said patrons will be able donate food at all of the Library’s 20 branches which are currently open for service. He hopes everyone will participate.

“During these hard economic times, patrons need libraries more than ever. This Food for Fines campaign will assist patrons in lowering their fines so they can return to being active library users.”

The kinds of food items the Library will accept include peanut butter, canned meat or fish, canned beans, stews and soups, canned fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, canned juice, boxed pasta and whole grain cereals. Unacceptable items include can/boxes with expired dates, damaged cans or boxes, ramen noodles, Koolaid or water, perishable food or food in glass jars and candy. Non-food items also will not be accepted. Donated food items can only be used to reduce fines.

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6 Responses to “Exchange “Food for Fines” at DeKalb Libraries April 5th-17th”

  1. Jenny says:
    March 23, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I love this! What a great idea.

  2. Jeff says:
    March 24, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    This is a good idea, but since the library almost never makes anyone actually PAY their fines, there’s not a great deal of incentive to bring food donations to the library.

  3. Jeff says:
    March 25, 2010 at 9:27 am

    Good to hear. Deadbeats and book stealers need to be penalized in some way.

  4. Deanne says:
    March 25, 2010 at 10:43 am

    They’re also collecting gently used books for the May Book Sale.

    (So if you have a couple to spare from your community bookcase stash…)