More and more libraries are
allowing patrons to pay their fines by donating food.
Here's a solution to hunger that's long overdue. More and more
libraries are allowing patrons to pay their fines by donating food.
The South Burlington library
in Vermont is knocking $2 off late fees for every canned good readers deliver for a food drive, ABC 22
reports.
"People don't like paying library fines but they are more
than happy to donate to a good cause," Library Director Louise Murphy told
the station in the segment above.
But the annual program isn't so, ahem,
novel. Libraries in Park City, Utah,Clearwater, Fla.,
and other cities across the country host similar "Food For Fines"
benefits.
And their numbers seem to be increasing.
Patty Sherbondy, director of the Warren Public Library in
Pennsylvania, calls the strategy a win-win.
"Donating food items is a great way
for library users to take care of their overdue fines and help their
neighbors," she told
the Times Observer.
You might say it's a fine way to help.
