Campus & Community

Donate Food to Reduce Your Libraries Fines

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, By Cristina Hatem

Do you have overdue circulation fines? is once again offering its “Food for Fines” program starting on Monday, Nov. 28 and running through Friday, Dec. 9.

All Libraries patrons with outstanding fines can donate healthy, nonperishable food items and/or personal hygiene items to have their fines reduced.

students walking outside of Carnegie Library on a spring day

Have an outstanding circulation fine? Donate an item of food or personal hygiene to reduce your fines.

Donations will be accepted at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and King + King Architecture Libraries. All food items will be donated to the .

Below is more information on how “Food for Fines” will work:

  • Fines will be reduced by $1 per item if you donate toilet paper, lip balm, rice, pasta, canned vegetables/fruits/beans and pasta sauce.
  • Fines will be reduced by $2 per item for donations of liquid soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, cereal and canned meats/fish.
  • Fines will be reduced by $3 per item for donations of hand lotion, oatmeal, canned soup/baked beans, peanut butter/jelly, tea, hot chocolate, ramen noodles and granola.
  • Fines will be reduced by $4 per item for donations of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and coffee.

Fine reductions exclude interlibrary loans and lost book fees.

Members of the University community who currently don’t have any current fines can still make donations to support “Food for Fines.”

For more information, contact Nick Olivieri.