by Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press
It’s that time of year again, where people reflect on the past and look to a fresh start for the new year.
Fraser Valley Regional Libraries [FVRL] is giving clients a chance to start 2016 with a zero balance in their library accounts with its annual Food for Fines campaign.
The rules are simple, bring a non-perishable food item to any FVRL network library until Jan. 17 and $2 will dissapear from fines owed.
Up to $30 in fines and fees per account can be paid in food items.
The food will be donated to the local food bank near the different library locations throughout the Fraser Valley.
Last year, the Walnut Grove library waived $1,024.20 in customer fines, Walnut Grove librarian supervisor Patrick Kincaid said.
“We have a regular stream of generous customers who offer more than the fines they owe, because it is for a such an important cause,” Kincaid added.
Last year, the campaign ran from Nov. 12 to Dec. 10, “and in turn [FVRL] waived approximately $21,000 worth of fines,” Heather Scoular, FVRL’s Director of Customer Experience, said.
All FVRL sites are partcipating, including Fort Langley, Brookswood, Muriel Arnason (Willoughby), Langley City, Aldergrove, Murrayville and Walnut Grove. For Kincaid, the campaign is beneficial in two ways: collecting food for the “local community that so desperately needs it,” and reducing barriers to library borrowing.
“It is a win-win for everybody,” Kincaid said.