Pittsfield Library Accepting Food for Fines
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's public library, will offer a modified fines amnesty from Saturday, Nov. 1, through Saturday, Nov. 29.
During this four-week period, the library will accept non‑perishable food items in lieu of paying fines for overdue books.
“This ‘Food for Fines’ initiative has become an annual tradition at the Berkshire Athenaeum, which for over 20 years has linked the extended fines amnesty period to the Thanksgiving holiday," Library Director Ron Latham said. “It’s a win, win, win situation because the borrower wins by clearing up an overdue fine record, the library wins by getting overdue our items returned, and area needy win by getting donated food at a time when the food supply is short.”
Cathy Congelosi, supervisor of Adult Circulation at the Athenaeum, said the food-for-fines program is the library’s attempt to create a more positive feeling about getting overdue library materials returned, and to get library borrowers to clean out their bookshelves and bring back library items that may have been long forgotten.
“While overdue fines are intended to encourage people to bring their library books back on time, sometimes our fines generate the opposite reaction, and borrowers become reluctant to return library books because of the fines attached," she said.
Food will be collected in boxes located at the Adult Circulation Desk and at the Children's Service Desk. When "paying" off a fine with a donated food item, a staff librarian should be alerted prior to depositing the item into the collection boxes. Food will be accepted not only for payment of overdue fines for items currently in circulation, but also may be applied to outstanding overdue fines from other transactions. The replacement costs of lost or damaged materials may not be resolved by donated food.
During the amnesty period, in addition to food brought in lieu of fines, the Athenaeum will encourage general donations of food not associated with overdue library books. All donated food will be turned over to the Rotary Club of Pittsfield as part of that organization’s annual food collection drive that distributes non-perishable food to area food banks providing services to area needy.
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