March 29, 2005-St. Louis, MO. For the 7th year in a row, St. Louis County Library plans on saving you some dough. During National Library Week, April 11 - 17, St. Louis County Library will operate a "Food for Fines" project at each of its 20 locations. The Library hopes the project will result in many returned books and help the hungry. For more information call 314-994-3300 or visit our web site at: www.slcl.org.

For each can of food brought in, the Library will reduce a patron's fine by $1, up to $25 in overdue fines only. Cans of nonfood items are not acceptable. Some favorite foods among recipients are: Peanut butter, soups, meat, canned spaghetti/ravioli, cereals (hot and cold), and any high protein item. To find out more, contact Operation Food Search at 314-726-5355.

Food items will be donated to Operation Food Search. This organization helps to feed 90,000 people each month. Nearly half of them are children. Last year the St. Louis County Library system donated more than 30,500 canned food items - the largest number yet.

Anyone is welcome to contribute canned goods - not just those who have fines. Patrons may not turn in cans to pay for lost or damaged materials, items from the Inter-Library Loan department, or collection fees. Change will not be given.

"We are participating in 'Food for Fines' for several reasons," said C. Daniel Wilson, Jr., director of St. Louis County Library. "April is not a popular time for food banks to receive donations and we'd like to help when they need it most. Secondly, we want to convey to our patrons that St. Louis County Library strives to be an essential part of the community. This campaign will both educate and provide our patrons with the opportunity to take part in eliminating hunger."

With 20 branches, St. Louis County Library serves more than 870,000 people within a 460-square-mile area with over 2 million cataloged items. It is one of the largest circulating public libraries in the country. The mission of St. Louis County Library is to support and enhance the community by providing free and equal access to ideas, information and opportunities for lifelong learning.