Public library holds ‘Food for Fines’ program

In accordance with National Library Week, the Monroe County Public Library users can decrease their fines by bringing in cans of food.\nThrough Saturday, card holders owing money to the library can bring in nonperishable items for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank in exchange for $1 off their library fines.\n“It’s really a way for us to get involved with the community and allow members an easy way to get rid of their fines,” said Margaret Harter, community relations coordinator for the library.\nThe last time the library did Food for Fines was in January 2006, Harter said, and users donated about 8,000 pounds of food. Another motivation for Food for Fines is to recognize the record-breaking circulation of about 2.3 million items in 2007, Harter said. \n“We asked how can we say thank you for all the support we get here at the library,” she said.\nThe Ellettsville branch of the library will also be collecting Food for Fines. All food can be brought to the circulation desk when visiting the library this week, and the money will be deducted from cardholders’ fines.\n“A lot of people have requested that we do it again,” said Mary Loro, circulation supervisor for the Bloomington branch. “One of our biggest comments is (to) bring back the Food for Fines. I think they do appreciate the library, and we want them to know that we appreciate them.”\nEven though Food for Fines can be used to reduce fines, it cannot be used for replacement costs of damaged or lost books because the library must purchase that material.\n“We don’t want to make any money,” said Mark Mobley, facilities manager for the library. “It’s a nice way for us to connect with other organizations in town. It generates good will because we are here for the community. These are taxpayers we’re talking about.”\nFines for the library cost 25 cents a day for all materials. In 2007, the library had $160,000 in library fines, Harter said.\nBesides Food for Fines, the library has other ways of helping their card holders eliminate their fines. The library has an e-mailing system that about 85 percent of patrons have signed up for that notifies them when their materials are due, Loro said. A volunteer program is also available in which patrons can volunteer their time to help the library out and receive $5 off their fines for every hour they work.\n“When people come to us and ask what they can do to pay off their fines, this is what we tell them,” Loro said. “A lot of people take advantage of it.”\nPatrons who don’t have fines are also welcome to bring in nonperishable items for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank this week.