Monroeville offering 'Food for Fines' as part of National Library Week

The Monroeville Public Library will celebrate National Library Week in April with prizes, raffles, books and other offerings.

Library Week will be held nationally from April 7 through 13. The theme is “Libraries = Strong Communities.” Gates Foundation Co-Founder Melinda Gates will serve as the 2019 National Library Week honorary chair.

This year’s theme fits well with what the Monroeville library means to the community, according to a municipality news release.

“More than ever, the library is a great meeting place — a community center for all ages — a place that welcomes thoughts and ideas of the past, present and future,” the release states.

Nearly 165,000 people came to the Monroeville Public Library in 2018 and almost 376,000 items were circulated.

There were also over 1,000 programs that attracted 21,000 people from the community.

“We’re inviting everyone to come visit the library, especially if you haven’t been here recently,” said Nicole Henline, the library’s director.

The library will join in on the celebration by offering ways to win a Barnes & Noble gift card, free books from the library’s “Book Nook,” a make-and-take craft event for children and raffle prizes. There also will be complimentary snacks available throughout the week, Henline said.

“And there’s ‘Food for Fines,’ where if you donate a non-perishable item for the food bank, for every item you bring, you get a dollar off any fines you have,” Henline said.

She said those without outstanding fees will get a coupon to use on any future fines.

The non-perishable food items will be donated to Cross Roads Presbyterian Church’s food pantry in Pitcairn.