Library's 'Food For Fines' Set for Nov. 30

Jefferson County Library continues to offer its popular “Food for Fines” amnesty on the final Friday of each month during 2012. The next amnesty date is Friday, November 30. Customers with outstanding fines for overdue materials may have their fines erased by donating canned food items. During 2012 the library will forgive up to one dollar in fines for each can of food donated.

            On October 26 the library collected 671 canned food items and waived $562 in overdue fines. For the first ten months of 2012 the library has collected a total of 5,483 canned food items and waived $5,074 in overdue fines.

            JCL Director Pam Klipsch says with the holidays and colder weather approaching, food pantries report many Jefferson County families need assistance.

             All the food collected is donated to local food pantries. There is no limit on the number or amount of fines that can be cleared, but bills for lost or damaged library items, or fines or bills for items that have been borrowed from other libraries outside Jefferson County, are not eligible for the “Food for Fines” program.

            The library does not accept home-canned items, cans that are past their expiration dates or are dented or damaged, or cans with bar codes that have been lined or scratched through.

            For more information contact your local branch of the Jefferson County Library: Arnold Branch, 1701 Missouri State Road, Arnold 636-296-2204; Northwest Branch, 5680 State Road PP, High Ridge 636-677-8186; Windsor Branch, 7479 Metropolitan Boulevard, Barnhart 636-461-1914.