Syracuse Sun

The Libraries are providing an opportunity for campus community members to reduce their library fines while supporting a charitable cause. The "Food for Fines" initiative will run from Friday, April 25 through the end of the spring 2025 semester. The program will start earlier for the Law Library on April 18 to align with the College of Law's academic schedule.

Library patrons with overdue fines can lower their fines by donating nonperishable food and hygiene items. Donations can be made at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and King + King Architecture Libraries. The collected items will be donated to the Coach Mac Food Pantry at Hendricks Chapel. It is important to note that fine reductions do not apply to interlibrary loan and lost book fees, but contributions from those without current fines are also welcome.

The fine reductions vary depending on the donated item. For example, single-serve items reduce fines by 50 cents, while items like toilet paper and canned vegetables reduce fines by $1. Furthermore, items like liquid soap and canned fruit contribute to a $2 reduction. Higher reductions include $3 for peanut butter and $4 for granola. The most significant reduction of $5 applies to coffee and deodorant. Donations should be unopened and not expired.

For additional details, interested parties can contact Nick Olivieri at naolivie@syr.edu.