Jefferson County Library's Next Food for Fines Date Is Jan. 25

The Jefferson County Library (JCL) will continue its popular “Food for Fines” amnesty on the final Friday of each month during 2013. The first amnesty date for 2013 is Friday, Jan. 25.

Customers with outstanding fines for overdue materials may have their fines erased by donating canned food items. During 2013 the library will forgive up to $1 in fines for each can of food donated.

On Dec. 28 the library collected 634 canned food items and waived $582 in overdue fines. During 2012 the library collected a total of 6,827 canned food items and waived $6,362 in overdue fines.

Since the library began its Food for Fines program in 2005, JCL patrons have donated 49,941 cans of food to help local families during hard economic times, says JCL director Pam Klipsch.

All the food collected is donated to area 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 the 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).