Public libraries to forgive fines for food donations
CLIFTON PARK (Oct. 25) — Your tardiness in returning your library books could be a good thing for hungry people in Southern Saratoga.
Both the Clifton Park-Halfmoon and the Mechanicville District public libraries are holding “Food for Fines” events, during which a donation of a nonperishable items for a local food pantry will result in an overdue-book fine being forgiven.
Patrons are welcome to donate nonperishable foods items at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, but to receive forgiveness for their overdue-book fines they must take their donations to the circulation desk.
“I think it’s a great way for use to contribute to the community,” CPH library director Alex Gutelius said. “We are putting food into the hands of people who need it, and it makes our patrons feel good.”
The events tend to be very popular.
“It goes over very well,” Mechanicville library director Laura Fisher said, whose food is donated to the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center’s pantry. “Last year we collected six boxes of nonperishables.”
Perhaps Clifton Park-Halfmoon residents are a little more lax in returning their books because last year the library collected 20 boxes of food — split between pantries at C.A.P.T.A.I.N. and the Jonesville United Methodist Church — and forgave around $600-700 of fines.
“I’m sure they (the library’s patrons) spend more on the food than they owed in fines,” Gutelius said.
At both libraries, the food must be donated at the circulation desk in order to receive credit for overdue-book fines. Food items past their expiration date and previously opened items are not accepted.
At the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, each food item forgives a single fine of up to $5 and does not apply to lost-item charges. Also, the library will not accept items in glass containers. At the Mechanicville Library, the food donation can’t be used toward collection fees. And both libraries would be happy to accept food donations from patrons who don’t have any fines.
“I think it’s a very convenient way to donate if they want to,” Gutelius said.
Other Saratoga County libraries to offer Food for Fines events include Saratoga Springs (Nov. 1-15) and Schuylerville.
For more information:
- Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, 371.8622
- Mechanicville District Public Library, 190 North Main Street, Mechanicville, 664.4646
- CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services, 5 Municipal Plaza Suite 3, Clifton Park, 371.1185
- Helping Hands Pantry, Jonesville United Methodist Church, 963 Main St., Jonesville, 877.7332
- Mechanicville Area Community Services Center, 6 South Main St., Mechanicville, 664.8322
- National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
