19 June 2020

Clear overdue library fines in February with food for charity

| My Gungahlin
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Libraries ACT is giving members the opportunity to clear unpaid fines for overdue items by donating food in a promotion designed to assist people in need across Canberra, starting today.

“During the month of February, members with overdue items are encouraged to participate in Food for Fines and donate tins or packets of non-perishable food in exchange for fines being removed from their membership record,” Minister for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris said.

“All food will then be donated to OzHarvest Canberra to provide support to charities across the region.”

Donations of food can be made inside any Libraries ACT branch during opening hours, and members are kindly asked not to put them in return chutes. Each item donated will allow up to two dollars of overdue fines to be removed from a member’s record.

“Food for Fines is a campaign used by a number of public libraries around the world. It is also an opportunity to remind members to return any overdue items,” Minister Fitzharris said.

“Libraries ACT has used the initiative before and in the first campaign in December 2010, more than 7,400 food items were donated and over 12,500 overdue library items returned.

“With school returning and more Canberrans back at work after the holidays, the month of February is an ideal time for Canberrans to start the year afresh, return any overdue items and also clear unpaid fines.

“Some ideas for Libraries ACT members to consider donating during February could be tins of soup and tuna or packets of pasta, rice, crackers or cereal,” Minster Fitzharris concluded.

The Food for Fines initiative at Libraries ACT commences on 1 February and runs until 29 February 2016. For more information visit www.library.act.gov.au

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