8 December 2014

Swap food for fines at your local library

Wellington City Libraries are providing the gift that keeps on giving this Christmas, as they exchange member’s overdue fines for donated cans of food over the next fortnight.

This is the first year for the library amnesty, where every 410 gram can of food donated by members will remove $3 from any fines they may have accrued for late returns – and all the cans will be delivered to local foodbanks in the community.

“Christmas is always a good time to remember those less well off, so of course, you don’t have to have fines to contribute to this great campaign, all donated cans are welcome”, says Councillor Sarah Free, Community Facilities Portfolio Leader.

All twelve of the Council-run libraries are participating in the campaign, and all are excited at the prospect of a win/win situation for all involved, according to Libraries and Community Spaces Manager, John Stears.

“Our libraries are at the heart of our communities so it’s only fitting that we work together to benefit our neighbourhoods this Christmas”, he says.

The food for fines amnesty runs from Monday 8 December until Sunday 21 December and only applies to fines, not to fees or charges, lost or damaged books, or accounts already lodged with debt collection agencies.

As the cans are being donated to foodbanks the food needs to be suitable for human consumption, not past its expiry date, and the cans should not be damaged or rusty.

The following libraries are participating in the campaign: Mervyn Kemp (Tawa); Johnsonville; Khandallah; Cummings Park (Ngaio); Wadestown; Central; Karori; Brooklyn; Newtown; Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie); Miramar; and Island Bay.

For more information visit wcl.govt.nz

ENDS

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