[Publib] Food for fines revisited

Fri Oct 2 13:22:45 EDT 2009

We have been doing this for years, once in the fall around thanksgiving,
and in the spring during library week.

During the month of December (2008), Library patrons contributed 2772
pounds of canned goods in lieu of overdue fines which were donated to
the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.  Since the Library began this annual
program in 1996, 35,830 pounds of food have been collected for the Food
Bank.

We do it only for overdue fines, not lost items. The food bank will
supply a list of acceptable and not acceptable items.

Here are the instruction from last year:

The procedure is this:

1)         One can per overdue item, whether the fine is ten cents or
$2.00.

2)         We will take the fines off as many items as the patron has
brought food items.  That is, if there are ten fines, the patron should
bring ten cans, no matter what the total dollar value of the fine is.

3)         In Patron Transactions (F2) and click on the Charges Tab.
Waive the appropriate amount of charges. Note:  It is very important
that Waive be used and not Tendered.

4)         Cans do not cover the costs for Lost or Damaged items, only
overdue fines.

5)         We prefer only non-perishable cans, not items in glass or
boxes containing bug attractors; certainly no home canned items.  You
will have to use your own discretion on accepting some things

6)         Put the cans in the colorful boxes at each desk, then later
transfer to a cardboard box.  When that is full, move it to the back
hallway by the Churchville Street entrance. Please pack so that the
boxes can be closed and stacked.

7)         Patrons may still pay fines in cash if that is their
preference.

.

8)         All three libraries are participating in this, so fines can
be for any libraries' items.

9)         The drive continues through the end of December, but if
anybody happens to bring cans after the ending date, we will accept them
until the food has been delivered to the Food Bank.

This has been a popular program with our patrons.  Many people bring
more food than they have fines.  Some have contributed cans even when
they don't have any fines at all.  It makes people feel better about
paying their fines by helping others, and puts them in the holiday
spirit.  

Melissa Davidson

Adult Services Librarian

Staunton Public Library

Staunton, VA 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Janet Cavanagh
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 12:57 PM
To: PUBLIB
Subject: [Publib] Food for fines revisited

Dear Colleagues, 

My director wants very much to have a "food for fines" drive.   I have
searched the archives but only found one item, under a discussion on
library promotion and it was an academic library.   I am sure this topic
has come up here so I apologize.  Could you give me some pros and cons?
Russell Library is a middle public library.

I have visions of someone bringing in a turnip because he had the first
season of the Sopranos out for 6 months.

Much appreciated.

-- 
Janet Cavanagh
Circulation Department
Russell Library
123 Broad Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-2528

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