Food For Fines – An Overdue Fine Amnesty Program

WHAT: Each non-perishable food item is worth $1.00

WHO: Library members with overdue fines

WHEN: September 9-15, 2012

WHERE: All Library locations, except the bookmobile

SALISBURY, MD – Wicomico Public Library will be holding Food For Fines, An Overdue Fine Amnesty Program during the week of September 9-15, 2012. Library members whose cards have overdue fines may donate non-perishable food items to clear their fines. For each sealed, non-expired food bank donation brought in, the Library will mark $1 of overdue fines as paid. All food items will go to The Joseph House foodbank. Library members owing over $25 in fines may bring in 25 items and we will clear all remaining overdue fines. All locations will accept donations except the Bookmobile.

How does this work?

Between Sunday, September 9, 2012 and Saturday, September 15, 2012, visit one of the Library’s four (4) locations during normal business hours (Downtown, Pittsville, Centre Mall or Bivalve). Present your library card at the Circulation Desk or a special “Amnesty Returns Desk”. For each $1 of overdue fines, present one qualified food bank donation. The staff member at the desk will remove that amount from your account. Currently overdue items must be returned before you can “donate” towards that fine.

Food donations left “on the library’s doorstep” will be contributed to the foodbank; however only those presented at the desk during business hours on this week will be used to clear overdue fines. Library members are encouraged to make foodbank contributions even if they do not have fines. This program will end when the Library closes on Saturday, September 15, 2012. A suggested list of needed donations can be found on the Joseph House website, http://www.thejosephhouse.org/donations.htm.

Donated food items must be in good shape, not expired and not opened. Full details are available at the Reference or Check-Out desks.