HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Resolution No. 001•
RESOLUTION NO. _j__
SERIES OF 2015
A RESOLUTION AUTIIORIZING THE ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY TO
IMPLEMENT THE "2015 SPRING FOOD FOR FINES" PROGRAM FROM SUNDAY,
MARCH l, 2015 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2015.
WHEREAS, the Englewood Public Library has sponsored a "Food for Fines" program since
1990;and
WHEREAS, the "Food for Fines" program allows patrons with overdue fines to "payn them
off through the donation of non-perishable food items; and
WHEREAS, the food items are then forwarded to the Holy Cow Food Bank for distribution to
financially disadvantaged families in the Englewood area; and
WHEREAS, the program is a benefit to the community in that the disadvantaged are assisted;
patrons are able to clear their library account of fines; patrons are encouraged to return overdue
items and hence increase the availability of library materials for the community; and the program
presents a positive image of the Library and the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCil.. OF THE CnY OF
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, THAT:
Section 1. The Englewood City Council hereby authorizes the Englewood Public Library's
implementation of"2015 Spring Food For Fines" program from Sunday March 1, 2015 through
Sunday March 15, 2015. The collected food will then be forwarded to the Holy Cow Food Bank
for distribution to financially disadvantaged families in the Englewood area.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 5th day of January, 2015.
ATTEST: q ~ ~
.....,,,t.:......::....Jt!J-.:.:::.~~..;...;;...:..:..__:::.L......:'_fu'--=:...·_ ~Mayor
I, Loucrishia A. Ellis, City Clerk for the City of Englewood, Colorado, hereby certify the
above is a true copy of Resolution No. __j__, Series of 2015. _ ~
lfl/hf/AIAJ ~ tf/:
,I
• COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Date: Agenda Item: Subject:
January 5, 2015 9 Ci Englewood Public Library Food for Fines
Initiated By: Staff Source:
Library Department Dorothy Hargrove, Director of Library Services
COUNCIL GOAL AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
The Food for Fines program was first sponsored by the library in 1990 and has long been a tradition for the
Englewood community. The goal today is the same as the original goal: to encourage library patrons to
return overdue books and to provide donations to local food banks to help those in need. For many years,
the Library offered the program every spring and fall, but we discovered that the predictable nature of this
program discouraged people from promptly returning books or paying fines. Consequently, in consultation
with the Library Board, the decision was made to offer the program on a less regular schedule in order to
maximize the benefit both for the Library and for the food banks. While the Board considered offering this
program in late 2014, the consensus was that food banks would appreciate the donations more after the
busy holiday season.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Library Department recommends City Council approve a resolution authorizing the Library Department
to implement a Spring Food for Fines program from Sunday, March 1 through Sunday, March 15, 2015.
BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS, AND ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED
The Food for Fines program will require the donation of one non-perishable food item for each $5.00 of
accrued charges. This amount is the maximum accrual for overdue fines for each book. The program will
therefore encourage the return of long overdue items since, with a donation, there will essentially be no
penalty for returning items late. It is important to note that a cardholder cannot check out additional books
if their accrued charges exceed $10.00. Because many of our long-overdue items are children's books, the
Food for Fines program will enable many children and their families to get back in the habit of reading.
The Library Board has recommended that all the food be donated to the Holy Cow Food Bank associated
with the Mosaic Church in Englewood. This organization has indicated that they have the volunteer staff
needed to pick up and distribute the donations. They serve many families in need in the Englewood
community.
This program has been warmly received and supported by the public since its inception, and Library
patrons now look forward to it as a way of helping others while relieving their own financial obligations.
The program presents a positive image of the Library and the City and is a "win-win" situation for everyone
involved .
•