MONROE COUNTY, FL – The five Monroe County library branches are forgiving overdue book fines for patrons who donate food this holiday season.

The Food for Fines annual program runs through Dec. 22. Bring your nonperishable food items to a library branch and your fines for overdue books will be waived. This program does not include waiving fees for lost or damaged items.

  • Key Largo library, 101485 Overseas Highway, is donating to the food bank at Burton Memorial Church.
  • Islamorada library, 81830 Overseas Highway, will give donations to First Baptist Islamorada.
  • Marathon library, 3251 Overseas Highway, donates all collected items and money to the KAIR pantry in Marathon.
  • Big Pine Key library, 213 Key Deer Blvd, donates to St. Peter’s Food Bank.
  • Key West library, 700 Fleming Street, donates to Loaves and Fish Food Pantry and Star of the Sea Foundation.

“The donated goods have always been well above the estimated total of fines that are taken off the record,” said Norma Kula, Director of Library Services in Monroe County. “In addition to the nonperishables, others bring in gift certificates from the supermarkets. A lot of patrons simply give food or cash donations, even if they don’t owe fines.”

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 Photos from the Key Largo Library branch of food donations made this holiday season during the “Food for Fines” annual program.

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