Worried about overdue library fines?
Mid-Columbia Libraries is telling you to can it.
Starting Sunday, the library will be accepting donations of food to reduce overdue fees during the Food for Fines event. Library patrons can trade one food item for a
$1 reduction in fines.
Food collected at the library's 11 locations and book mobile will be distributed to six different area food banks.
With the battered economy and families falling on tough times, the library district recognized the need to help, said Kate Holloway, district spokeswoman.
Library patrons looking to save money can reduce their fines by up to $10 by donating canned and nonperishable items and the food banks will be able to restock their shelves in time for the holiday rush.
"We always need (extra food) from November to January," said Darlene Harrington, director of the Connell Food Bank, which picked up an additional 25 to 30 families in the last month.
"It's good for the libraries because it's a nonaccusatory way to get the books back into the system," said Kathye Kilgore, director of 2nd Harvest Food Bank in Kennewick.
"Bring the book, drop a couple of cans into the barrel and the slate's wiped clean," she said, comparing the process to a "painless confession."
"We're happy to be able to repay the fines in a way that will do the most good for the region," said Holloway.
The concept is not new to the library district -- it participated in Food for Fines for a week in 2005 -- but the event's run time has been extended for an entire month through Dec. 15. That will cushion the demand between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Holloway explained.
Donations beyond the $10 fine limit will be accepted but will not apply toward library fees.
* Dalina Castellanos: 509-582-1542; dcastellanos@tricityherald.com
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Library book fines can be paid with donations to fight hunger
Library book fines can be paid with donations to fight hunger
Patrons of the Mid-Columbia Libraries who have book fines to pay can redeem $10 worth by donating nonperishable food items through Dec. 15.
The library is bringing back its popular Food for Fines program for all 11 branches and the bookmobile for the next six weeks.
To highlight the food drive, Mid-Columbia Libraries will present two free food-related programs this month at the Kennewick branch on Union Street.
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Food authors to speak at Kennewick library
Fanae Aaron, author of What Chefs Feed their Kids: Recipes and Techniques for Cultivating a Love of Good Food, will speak at 7 p.m. tonight at the Mid-Columbia Libraries Kennewick branch on Union Street. She will talk about how food experts deal with challenges of cooking for children's palates.
Liz Edmunds, of the reality makeover show The Food Nanny and author of The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner, will be at the library at 7 p.m. Thursday. A mother of seven children, Edmunds encourages families to stop eating fast food by using budget-friendly recipes and offers fundamental tips for successful family meals.
The two free food-related programs are offered in conjunction with the library system's Food for Fines program, in which library users who have book fines to pay can redeem $10 worth by donating nonperishable food items through Dec. 15.
Library food drive
Library food drive
Voracious readers can devour a book in one sitting. Patrons of the Mid-Columbia Libraries should never have to hunger for something to read.
Unfortunately, there are those in the Mid-Columbia who hungry for something to eat, however.
We're happy to see that for the next six weeks the library is combining two of our favorite activities -- reading and eating -- in a way that combats hunger.
Mid-Columbia food banks seeing fewer donations, more need
Mid-Columbia food banks seeing fewer donations, more need
Diana Bastian's family of seven depends on the St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Bank to get through the month.
The 17-year-old Pasco High School senior says her parents, who work seasonally, buy food when they can, but it can be expensive -- especially meat.
Area food banks are having a harder time providing food to an increasing number of families like Bastian's. Many are low on canned food and staples -- donations that seem to dry up after the holidays.
$141,000 Kennewick library remodel almost finished
$141,000 Kennewick library remodel almost finished
KENNEWICK -- The Mid-Columbia Libraries Kennewick branch hopes to unwrap its new computer technology center after the new year.
A $141,000 remodeling project that should be done a week after Christmas, will have 45 computers in a designated area on the south side of the main Union Street library next to five study rooms.
Kate Holloway, the libraries' communications coordinator, said the project, which was entirely paid for by the Shirley Stroh Estate, also includes a computer training lab, a new area for copying and printing, and a new home for the microfiche readers.
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