{Adults}
Food for Fines and more: July 1 brings changes to the Library
As many of our patrons know, July 1st brought several changes to the operating policies of the Stowe Free Library. One of these major changes affects all of our patrons: after July 1st, we will no longer be charging fines on items returned late.
Anything returned late under this new policy will no longer be assessed a fee - quite nice for those of us who forgot to return our videos on time. You might be wondering how the Library will get anything back on time without the fines, and the answer is simple: we know that our patrons believe in the rule that when you borrow something, you return it! Most of our items came back in a timely fashion with fines, often before they were due, and we know this will continue to be the case. When you keep an item from the Library for longer than your check out period, you are, in effect, preventing your fellow patrons from accessing that item; in the spirit of cooperation, it is important to bring it back when you are finished and allow another patron a turn.
Patrons will still be required to renew an item that they would like to keep longer than the original check out period, and the Library will still be sending overdue notices and reminders, especially when another patron is waiting for an item that is overdue. Patrons that have significantly overdue items will continue to have their borrowing privileges suspended until the item is returned or replaced.
The other important thing to remember is that your currently accrued fines are not going to disappear. The Stowe Free Library asks that you help complete our move to a fine-free system by paying down your current fines - and we have a great way to help you do so: any patron with fines on their record may have up to $5 removed when they bring in an item for the Lamoille Community Food Share. We're calling it Food For Fines. So, if you have $4 in fines, the fine will be forgiven with a donation of one non-perishable item for the food shelf; if you have $15, we'll get you down to $10 with the donation. This is a great way to start fresh and support our county food shelf, which is busier than ever before as families feel the pinch of higher food and gas prices - a pinch the Lamoille Community Food Share feels as well, with the reduction in their buying power.
The Lamoille County Food Share is especially in need of the following items:
Other items that are appreciated include:
Bring your donation directly to the Library, and we will ensure delivery to the food shelf - and if you would like to donate extra non-perishable items, or donate even if you do not have fines to forgive, we would be more than happy to collect them! Food For Fines will take place for the entire month of July. Help the Library start off on the right foot with our new fine-free system, and help the members of our community in need at the same time: in the first 6 months of 2008, the Lamoille County Food Share has already seen more families from Stowe needing their services than in all of 2007, and are 25% busier overall than last year.
We at the Library look forward to our new fine-free service, and hope our patrons will too. If you need to renew an item, please give us a call at 253.6145. We would be happy to renew it for you if no one else is waiting.
Anything returned late under this new policy will no longer be assessed a fee - quite nice for those of us who forgot to return our videos on time. You might be wondering how the Library will get anything back on time without the fines, and the answer is simple: we know that our patrons believe in the rule that when you borrow something, you return it! Most of our items came back in a timely fashion with fines, often before they were due, and we know this will continue to be the case. When you keep an item from the Library for longer than your check out period, you are, in effect, preventing your fellow patrons from accessing that item; in the spirit of cooperation, it is important to bring it back when you are finished and allow another patron a turn.
Patrons will still be required to renew an item that they would like to keep longer than the original check out period, and the Library will still be sending overdue notices and reminders, especially when another patron is waiting for an item that is overdue. Patrons that have significantly overdue items will continue to have their borrowing privileges suspended until the item is returned or replaced.
The other important thing to remember is that your currently accrued fines are not going to disappear. The Stowe Free Library asks that you help complete our move to a fine-free system by paying down your current fines - and we have a great way to help you do so: any patron with fines on their record may have up to $5 removed when they bring in an item for the Lamoille Community Food Share. We're calling it Food For Fines. So, if you have $4 in fines, the fine will be forgiven with a donation of one non-perishable item for the food shelf; if you have $15, we'll get you down to $10 with the donation. This is a great way to start fresh and support our county food shelf, which is busier than ever before as families feel the pinch of higher food and gas prices - a pinch the Lamoille Community Food Share feels as well, with the reduction in their buying power.The Lamoille County Food Share is especially in need of the following items:
- Canned Spaghetti Sauce
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Canned Fruit
- Pasta
- Canned Vegetables
- Soup
- Cereal
- Tuna
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Shampoo
Other items that are appreciated include:
- Coffee
- Personal Products for Women
- Healthy Snacks
- Laundry & Dish Detergent
Bring your donation directly to the Library, and we will ensure delivery to the food shelf - and if you would like to donate extra non-perishable items, or donate even if you do not have fines to forgive, we would be more than happy to collect them! Food For Fines will take place for the entire month of July. Help the Library start off on the right foot with our new fine-free system, and help the members of our community in need at the same time: in the first 6 months of 2008, the Lamoille County Food Share has already seen more families from Stowe needing their services than in all of 2007, and are 25% busier overall than last year.
We at the Library look forward to our new fine-free service, and hope our patrons will too. If you need to renew an item, please give us a call at 253.6145. We would be happy to renew it for you if no one else is waiting.