Patrons of the Jackson County Public Library in Seymour, Crothersville, and Medora can pay overdue fines by donating non-perishable food items August 16-30. Discovery Bus customers must visit a library building to participate in the program.
Donations of non-perishable food items collected in lieu of fines are given to local food pantries at Human Services, Provisions Inc, and Anchor House in Seymour; Crothersville First Baptist Church Food Pantry; and Medora Christian Church.
For every dollar owed in fines at least one food item must be donated. If a library patron has a $5.00 fine, at least five food items are needed to erase the fine. A fine of $5.50 would require at least six food items. Food items must not be expired, rusty, dented or USDA commodities. Food for Fines is not available to customers with lost materials. The materials must be returned undamaged before the overdue fines can be waived. Collection agency accounts may participate in this year’s only fine-waiving program as long as they pay the $10 collection agency fee first.
Customers participating in Food for Fines will receive a computer-generated receipt reflecting fines waived by their food donation. Food for Fines applies to all Jackson County Public Library materials including movies and audio books but does not apply to fines from other Evergreen Indiana libraries.
Individuals without library fines wishing to donate food items may do so at any library location.
Since its first fine-waiving program in 1991, the Jackson County Public Library has accepted 76,096 items (food, school supplies, and supplies for the Humane Society) and waived $62,388.75 in overdue fines.
