Tigard library erases fines for food

By Geoff Pursinger

The Times, Dec 4, 2009

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If you’re one of the thousands of Washington County library card holders with fines on their account, the Tigard Public Library could be making you an offer you can’t refuse.

They’ll erase your fines. Just like that. The catch? You have to bring in food to be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, in Tigard.

“It’s a great way to help out the community,” said Paula Walker, public relation coordinator for the Tigard Library. “It’s a good way for people with fines on their records, who haven’t had the ability to pay them off, too.”

For every two cans of food brought in by library card holders, the library will erase $1 from their account, up to $10.

There are limitations, however. The donated food will only work towards overdue fees, not fines that have been sent to collections agencies or fines for damaged or lost library books.

Last year the library collected 2,500 pounds of food in its first Food for Fines program.

This year, the library is hoping to raise 2,600 pounds of food.

The library is also accepting cash donations to the food pantry. “But that won’t go toward paying off the fines,” Walker said.

The food comes at an important time for the food pantry, Walker said, because around the holiday season the shelves begin to run low.

“Hopefully this will help them out right before the big holiday season,” Walker said.

The program begins Sunday, Dec. 6, and runs until Saturday, Dec. 12.