National Library week is an annual program that is wrapping up this Friday. This year’s theme, Libraries = Strong Communities, illustrates how today’s libraries are at the heart of our cities, towns, schools and campuses, providing critical resources, programs and expertise. They also provide a public space where all community members, regardless of age, culture or income level, can come together to connect and learn. One of the new initiatives that a few US branches have been trying out for the entire month of April is accepting donated food to pay off a fine, if it has been considered a success, it may become permanent.
Libraries will donate any unopened, nonperishable foods they collect to local food banks, and they typically waive $1 worth of fines per item. Some libraries even accept pet food to give to animal shelters in their area.
The Spokane Public Library in Washington, the Public Library System in California, and the Thomas Beaver Free Library in Pennsylvania are just a handful of the libraries participating in the charity event.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
