A FINE idea has been launched at Brimbank libraries in the lead-up to Christmas.
All Brimbank libraries will be holding an amnesty on library fines for overdue items from 25 November until 8 December.
The libraries will also provide members with an opportunity to donate non-perishable food in exchange for clearing any other overdue fines from their library cards.
Overdue items returned in good condition through the library chutes or the self-return stations will automatically have fines cleared.
Food collected will be sent on to Uniting Care Lentara, which will redistribute the food to needy Brimbank families.
The Food for Library Fines program will allow two donated food items to cover $10 or less in owed fines, four donated food items for $11 to $20 in fines and eight donated food items will cover $31 or more in fines.
Last year Brimbank City Council’s libraries collected more than 2750 items of food during the program, when over 1000 library items were returned.
Donated food must be non-perishable and for human consumption, tinned food and food in packets is preferred.
Donated food items may be handed to a staff member at any Brimbank library.
The minimum use-by date for donated food items is June 2014.
The amnesty on library fines and the Food for Library Fines programs will not apply to the return of damaged or incomplete items.
