August 19, 2011

I M M E D I A T E  R E L E A S E

contact person
Cynthia Brown
Jefferson County Library Cooperative
cynthiab@bham.lib.al.us
(205)226-3615 W
(205)226-3617 F

PUBLIC LIBRARIES OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
SEPTEMBER FOOD FOR FINES PROJECT

August 19, 2011, Jefferson County, AL - The 39 Public Libraries of Jefferson County will accept donations of canned or boxed food during September 1-30. One dollar in fines will be waived for each item of food donated for up to $10 per library card holder. Expiration dates must be visible on the food containers and the waived fees apply to fines only. The food drive is open to anyone, even if they do not have overdue materials.

"Our goal is to encourage users to return overdue materials, while at the same time giving back to our communities, especially in the aftermath of the tornadoes,” said Pat Ryan, executive director of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. “We’d rather have overdue items back than the fines because of the costs associated with reordering and processing new materials. And some items cannot be replaced."

Public libraries want to do something for their communities and also provide an incentive for library users with overdue fines to return to the library. At this time of year, food pantries are getting low and need to be replenished with the holidays just around the corner. Libraries will be collaborating with the United Way Food Bank, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and Magic City Harvest. Individual libraries also can decide to give their items to a local church or charity of their choice.

"Food for Fines" is held in conjunction with the annual National Library Card Sign-up Month. In September, cardholders can trade in their old wallet card for a keychain card, or receive a replacement for a worn out card free, without paying the usual $3.00 fee.

Go to http://www.jclc.org/Reader/2011/fall/page1.htm or call your local library for more information.

The Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization composed of the 39 public libraries throughout Jefferson County. These include the 21 municipal libraries, including the 19 locations of the Birmingham Public Library System, as well as The Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The mission of JCLC is to link our member libraries to provide better, more efficient centralized services for all county residents. For more information, go to our website www.jclc.org.

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