Food donations lower library overdue fine

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer

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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Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Food donations lower library overdue fine

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer