Woodward Memorial Library clerks Samantha Bortle, left, and Trisha Riggi, center, are pictured at the circulation desk with Children and Teen Librarian Betsy Halvorsen.
If you have an overdue library book or DVD, then Woodward Memorial Library has a deal for you.
The Le Roy library will begin the new year with back-to-back fine forgiveness weeks.
During the first week — from Monday through this Saturday, Jan. 9 — patrons will not be fined for returning overdue Woodward Library materials.
The library cannot waive fines on books from other libraries, or outstanding fines on previously returned books.
But anyone with an existing fine on their account, should be patient — because the library will trade “Food for Fines” during the second week of January. The library will forgive $1 in previously existing fines for every nonperishable food item donated to the library from Jan. 11-16.
The library will trade up to $20 in fines per account.
Patrons are advised to bring donated food to the library circulation desk, rather than the outdoor drop-off box, to receive credit.
Of course, food donations are welcome even if no fines are owed. All the donated food will be given to the Le Roy Food Pantry.
This is the second year the library has offered a fine-forgiveness week.
Betsy Halvorsen, children and teen librarian, said she’s not sure exactly how many long-overdue library items have worked their way into private collections over the years.
“But it’s a lot,” Halvorsen said. “There are things that have been gone so long they’re assumed lost.”
When that happens, usually after three months, the replacement cost is charged to the patron’s account.
“It’s easy for stuff to get mixed into your own collection, especially DVDs,” said Samantha Bortle, library clerk. “Then there’s this mindset, ‘It would cost me as much to buy it, as it would to return it.’ ”
So beginning Monday, getting back in the library’s good graces will make good financial sense.
Woodward Memorial Library, 7 Wolcott St., is open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For information call (585) 768-8300.
