Nokomis library hosting Food for Fines program

November 14, 2023 34

NOKOMIS — The Nokomis Public Library is halfway through a program that allows patrons to donate food to the local food pantry.

The library’s Food for Fines program, which kicked off on November 1, gives patrons a chance to get rid of some outstanding overdue fees.

“This program is a great opportunity for our patrons to both lower or completely get rid of the late fees they have,” said library director Lisa Casterline. “At the same time, [they are] giving back to the Nokomis community.”

For each nonperishable food item donated that is neither damaged nor expired, $1 will be taken off any overdue fines. A maximum total of $10 per library card can be forgiven in the month of November.

Note that the program only applies to overdue fines. Forgiven fees do not apply toward lost or damaged item fees.

“If a patron has a lost or damaged item listed on their account, we would like to work with them to take care of that,” Casterline said. “They can pay the cost outright or make payments toward the full replacement cost of the book.”

Casterline also notes that patrons also have the option to replace it with a new version or a similar one.

“We usually have patrons who take advantage of the sales that are going on at retail establishments this time of year to find the item they need to replace at a discounted price,” Casterline adds. “We are completely fine with that.”

All donated food items collected during the event will be donated to the Nokomis Food Pantry. Donations will be accepted at the library during normal operating hours. They are open Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Nokomis Public Library is located at 100 N. Spruce inside the former Masonic Lodge. Additional information about the program is available by calling the library at (217) 563-2734 or by emailing [email protected].

For more local news, follow Jake Leonard on Twitter @JakeLeonardJRN and Heartland Newsfeed @HLNF_Bulletin on Twitter.

Additionally, you can follow Heartland Newsfeed on Facebook and Reddit among other platforms. You can now follow our news updates on Telegram and MeWe.

Support independent journalism. Become a patron on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. There are other donor options as well.

Get the latest news updates on our radio network via Spreaker, TuneIn, and other platforms.

Jake Leonard

Website | + posts

Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.