News
AH Library "Food For Fines" Drive To Continue Through Feb. 21
ATL. HIGHLANDS - The municipal library is continuing its "Food for Fines" program through Saturday, Feb. 21, Borough Librarian Marilyn Scherfen said, as residents are reacting with generosity and pleasure to the idea of helping the local food pantry.
"There is a need at the Food Pantry in the Methodist church, particularly as times are starting to get more difficult for so many people," she said. As a result, the librarian instituted the Food for Fines program, planning it for a oneweek period, but expanding it until Saturday both because of need and generosity.
Under the program, library users bringing in overdue books and CDs, are asked to bring in food staples and paper products instead of fine payments, with the Food Pantry the recipient of the "fine."
"We have been finding that people who owe fines are paying their fines, as well as bringing in canned goods during the drive," the librarian said, "and even people who don't owe any fines are bringing in things for the pantry. It's typical in this town to extend a helping hand to anyone in need."
A resident of the borough for 34 years, Scherfen first volunteered, then worked part time at the library since 1993. She became its director when former director Barbara Nelson retired in 1999.
Currently, the library has an estimated 1,000 DVDs and CDs, and 20,000 books, as well as the DVDs and books they receive from the County Library system on a regular basis.
