Food for Fines?

Have you been avoiding us lately because of a pesky, ol' overdue fine on your account? Well there's no need to. Here's a great way to clear that fine and at the same time help families in need!

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport is the primary food bank for Newport County and has approximately 700 registered clients that turn to this center for help. It's a wonderful organization that welcomes donations.

The Director of MPL began a Food for Fines program at the Library in December 2007 as a way to contribute to the Center. Since 2007 (and thanks to its generous patrons like you) the Library has furnished the equivalent of several hundred meals to the clients of the MLK Jr. Community Center. For it's effort the Library has been awarded the Martin Luther King Service certificate of 2008.

The "currency" is nonperishable food item(s). The rate asked of patrons is:

Fines Number of Food Items
$1.00 or less 1
$1.01-$2.00 2
$2.01-$3.00 3
etc. etc.

We understand that it's not always possible to return a book or DVD on time (librarians get overdues too). So don't be shy! Bring in some nonperishable food items and we'll call it even.

Hey, we miss you and want to see you back at the Library!