"Ten to Twelve Families"

Well, Food for Fines 2011 is over and I just ran the food over to the Salvation Army food pantry. As we were unloading, I asked the man helping me, Dan, if he thought our load would do any good. The large, very full boxes of canned and non-perishable goods would feed "ten to twelve" families, he said in his quick estimation and he thanked the library.

I, in turn, thank all those who paid off their fines in such a community-friendly way and who helped us to feed others not only intellectually but, for one month, physically as well.

Thank you again, Chippewa Falls.

Below is a quick little video of just part of the food we had. I couldn't fit it all on the table and some was already loaded when I shot the video.

Food For Fines 2011

September is Food for Fines month at the library. This month, the library is allowing patrons who have lost their library cards or who are carrying fines on their accounts to pay some of their debt with non-perishable food items.

Each item brought in will be worth $1.00 and patrons can pay off a maximum of $5.00 worth of fines or their card replacement fee, which is usually $5.00. All food will be donated to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Chippewa Falls.

The Food for Fines program can’t be used for partial payment of lost or damaged items and may not apply to all MORE libraries. Also, there are some guidelines for what can be donated.

The library will not accept dented or rusted cans, expired or opened items, anything visibly damaged or items that have come from the food pantry.

Updates

It's been a very busy summer, and it's been a while since there's been a good, meaty blog entry, so here goes:

1. I just found out that there is a MORE renewal hotline which lets patrons renew books by telephone. Just dial 1-866-MYRENEWAL (866-697-3639) and follow the prompts. Patrons will need their library cards and the bar codes of their library books.

2. The Dedicated Readers Society reading list for 2011-2012 is out. The Dedicated Readers Society Book Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm.

3. On Thursday, August 25th, from 10:30am--12:30 pm, local author Monica Holtz will be in the library to read, sell and sign copies of her new book, Behind the Zoo, sequel to her popular work Emily at the Zoo. Both works focus on the daily functioning of Irvine Park Zoo, seen through the eyes of a local child. Her reading will begin at 11:15am.

4. The Chippewa Herald just recently ran a well-written article about the first incarnation of the Chippewa Falls Public Library, the old Carnegie Library that stood where Gordy's County Market is now.

5. September is Library Card Sign-up Month. During September the Chippewa Falls Public Library invites those who have never used the library to come and see all of the great things that our library offers.

At the same time we invite library patrons who have lost their library cards to get a new one. The current replacement fee for a new library card is $5.00, but during the month of September we will waive that amount if a non-perishable, non-taxable food item is brought in. All food will be donated to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Chippewa Falls. See below for acceptable food items.

In addition to the food for card replacement program, we will also be accepting non-perishable food items for payment of fines. Each item brought in will be worth $1.00. Patrons can pay off a maximum of $5.00 worth of fines. This only applies to fines accumulated on Chippewa Falls Public Library items, and can’t be used for partial payment of lost or damaged items.

Both incentive programs can be used once by patrons.

Suggested Items

* baby food
* cereals
* soup
* canned juice
* canned fruit
* canned vegetables
* peanut butter
* crackers
* rice or pasta
* pasta sauce

Unacceptable Items

* items from the food pantry
* dented cans
* rusted cans
* damaged items
* open packages
* expired items
* homemade foods

Food for Fines/Library Card Sign Up Month

All during the month of September, we'll waive the fines patrons owe the library provided they bring in food items for local food banks. In economically unsteady times like this, there is always a surprising number of people in any community who have a tough time making ends meet all the way around...including at the dinner table.

Here's how it works...patrons bringing in non-taxable food items will be credited at a rate of $1.00 per item up to a maximum of $5.00 worth of fines. Food items cannot used for partial payment of lost or damaged items or to pay fines owed to other MORE libraries. Patrons can also take care of card replacement fees this way. What better way to pay a debt?

Speaking of cards, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don't yet have one (or know someone who doesn't have one), now's the time to come and get one or talk someone else into it. To help convince you, maybe, here is a list of some of the 52 things you can do with a library card, courtesy of the American Library Association:

• Research new job opportunities


• Pick up voter registration information


• Pick up a DVD


• Prepare your resume


• Pick up tax forms


• Connect with other people in the community


• Find a quiet spot, curl up with a book and enjoy


• Read a newspaper from another country


• Download a book

So...what are you waiting for?