Food for fines
By CARL E. HARTDEGEN
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – Patrons of the Westfield Athenaeum who owe fines for overdue materials have an opportunity this week to reduce their obligation while helping others, by taking advantage of “Food for Fines”, an amnesty program which will allow them to pay off their fines with food items that will be donated to the Westfield Food Pantry.
Joyce Peregrin, the circulation and outreach coordinator for the Athenaeum, said that patrons who owe fines may bring in food items and receive a one dollar credit, up to $10, for each for item donated.
“It’s really a good time to clear up the fines that are blocking their cards” she said, explaining that the library cards of patrons who owe more than $10 are blocked from additional use until the balance is reduced to less than $10.
She cautioned that the credit for food items only applies to fines owed for materials borrowed from the Athenaeum. Fines owed for materials borrowed via inter-library loans or charges for other obligations, such as lost or destroyed books, may not be reduced by food donations.
Peregrin said that the library offers the program “almost yearly.”
“We’ve always had good responses” she said. “We’ve had anywhere from 4-10 boxes that we’ve donated to the pantry” in past efforts and, after only one day of the current drive, already “have a full box”.
She said that organizers chose to do it during the school vacation because it is a time of increased activity at the library and because it is “Love Your Library” month at the Westfield Athenaeum.
Parents often take vacation time while their children are also on vacation, she said. Many take advantage of the extra programs offered at the Athenaeum during vacation week and may spend longer periods at the library during their vacation than they do at other times, when they may be in a hurry with more things to take care of.
And patrons who see the collection box while at the library for a vacation program often return during the week and may think to bring a donation on their next visit.
“Even if they don’t have fines they may have each of the kids put something in the box” Peregrin said.
The program is an opportunity “to promote good feelings,” she said. “What it’s all about is not just ‘Love Your Library’, its love your community too.”
“Everybody wins” she said.
Carl E. Hartdegen can be reached at [email protected]
