News Report #5

Library amnesty week coming up

11/13/2009

http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/story/Library_amnesty_week_coming_up_id_001016

The article I read discussed Library Amnesty Week at Watauga County Public Library. Watauga County Public Library is located in my hometown Boone, North Carolina. During the week of December 7-12th, Watauga Library will be offering there delinquent patrons a chance for redemption. Those who have overdue fines can bring in cans of food, including canned pet food, to help those in need and for each can it will cancel $1.00 of overdue fines. This will apply only to overdue fines and they can bring in enough cans to take care of all their fines or just a few to make a dent in their debt. All food collected will be donated to the Hunger Coalition and the canned pet food will be going to the Watauga Humane Society. The cans that are donated must be in good shape and not past their expiration date. The fines that can be erased apply to books, videos, CDs, DVDs or any other library materials. The only thing the canned food is not good for is for the repayment of lost materials. If people do this, it will put them back in good graces at the check-out desk of the library because those who have more than $10 in fines are unable to check out materials.

I think this is an awesome idea and it’s not only helping people who have overdue fines come clean, but it is also helping a good cause by allowing those who cannot afford food a chance to eat. I currently do not have any overdue fines at the library, but I would still go and donate food or bring cans to help someone else with their fines by bringing if I were going to be in town. I realize I would not be benefiting from this, but at least I would know I was able to help out someone so they can use the services the library offers as well as help those who are hungry have something to eat. I am not sure if all libraries participate in something like this but if they do not then they definitely should and I hope people will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.