The Central Arkansas Library System is giving patrons the opportunity to replace overdue library fines with nonperishable food items.
The library will hold its annual Food for Fines program from Monday through Dec. 9.
Patrons are encouraged to take at least one nonperishable boxed or canned good per overdue item to any of the 12 branches of the library system in Pulaski and Perry Counties.
The food collected during the drive will be donated to Arkansas Rice Depot's Food for Kids program, which provides backpacks and ready-to-eat food to more than 600 public schools in Arkansas, serving more than 35,000 children.
Items most needed are ravioli, peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit, pudding cups, cereal and granola bars, the library system said.
The library said the donations may not be used to cancel fines that are already on record for materials that have been returned before Food for Fines week.
More information on Food for Fines may be found at the library system's website, www.cals.org.