Donations can erase overdue library fines
While fines for overdue materials at the Butler Area Community Library average only a few cents per day, they can build up over time.
But until Oct. 22, people can pay off their overdue fines by bringing nonperishable food items to the library and donating them to the Stick a Fork in Hunger campaign in exchange for a $1 library credit for each item.
“This is an opportunity for people who had past fines to catch up,” said Lori Hinderliter, executive director of the library. “We decided to do 'Food For Fines' to try to collect the most food we could.”
The Slippery Rock University Center for Community Engagement, Empowerment and Development (SUCCEED) organized the Stick a Fork in Hunger campaign, which aims to reduce food insecurity in Butler County through collaboration with local businesses, organizations and individuals.On Oct. 23, food and monetary donations collected by the project's participants will be brought to Butler SUCCEED on Main Street.The campaign is somewhat of a friendly competition for participating organizations, which Hinderliter said motivated the library to come up with the Food for Fines idea.“We have had different drives, collected all kinds of things like socks, hats and mittens,” Hinderliter said. “This is probably our biggest food drive we have participated in.”The fine for an overdue book is $0.25 per day at the Butler library and DVDs are $1 per overdue day. The library has only been collecting food for a few days, but Hinderliter said she hopes to see the contributions grow throughout the campaign.“It has been going,” Hinderliter said. “People have been bringing food, whether it's for fines or just as a contribution.”