Aurora library accepting food for fines in March

Aurora Public Library patrons who didn't get those DVDs or that pile of books back to the library in time won't have to pay up in March.

For the entire month, the library will accept food donations, destined for the local food pantry, in lieu of overdue fines.

"We allow people to bring in one can of nonperishable (food) - undented, not rusted cans - for $1 off their fines, up to a maximum of $5 in fines," said Beth Bumgarner, coordinator at the main library.

She said anyone who owes fines is eligible to participate, "as long as they have not gone to collections."

The library turns patron accounts over to collection efforts after lost materials and/or fines exceed $25, she said.

Bumgarner said cans and undamaged boxes will be accepted at the main library and at the West and Eola Road branches during library hours. The libraries are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Even the bookmobile will collect donations on a limited basis, she said.

Donations of soup, instant mashed potatoes, vegetables, noodles, pasta, pancake syrup, sugar, salt - whatever people can spare from their pantries and kitchen shelves - will be collected at circulation desks for shipment to the Wayside Cross food pantry.

"They are desperate for anything they can get," she said.

The library does two "Food for Fines" collections each year, one in March and the other in November. Fall donations are distributed to the Holy Angels and Salvation Army food pantries, she said.

Last fall, Bumgarner said, 4,881 items were collected and $3,932 in fines were waived.

"It's something that people really seem to like, to be able to pay off their fines with food," she said.

During each event, she said, several donations are made by patrons who don't owe fines but still want to contribute.

"It's whatever we can collect. There are so many families out there needing assistance right now," Bumgarner said.

For information, call (630) 264-4100 or visit www.aurora.lib.il.us.