By Sam Weideman
An ordinance to extend one of Omaha Public Library’s (OPL) programs passed through its public hearing and second reading in City Council Sept. 17 and is likely to be approved Sept. 24 after its third reading.
The ordinance is to authorize OPL to continue its program, Food for Fines Week, for five additional years, until December 2023.
“The City Council never approves anything indefinitely,” said Laura Marlane, executive director of OPL and founder of Food for Fines Week. “Five years was just a time we picked because there has to be a time period attached to it for the City Council.”
Founded in 2017, Food for Fines Week has allowed patrons to waive up to a maximum $20 of accrued late fines if they donate 10 non-expired non-perishable food items. To receive the waiver, patrons must show a library card or their photo ID.
It’s likely the ordinance will pass through City Council, Marlane said.
“I was at the council meeting last week and [they] were very supportive of the program,” Marlane said. “I feel it will be passed. We’re asking for the ordinance just to make it easier for us to continue to do this every year.”
The program collected 5,500 pounds of non-perishables in 2017 and 3,300 pounds in 2018, providing 4,500 and 2,800 meals respectively. Marlane said she hopes this year’s efforts surpass those of 2017’s.
“The first time we did this, people were just so generous,” Marlane said. “There were people who didn’t even have fines who were coming into donate food, and just said, ‘whoever needs this, let them pay their fines down with this food that I’m donating.”
Over the last two years, OPL welcomed back over 1,600 patrons, something Marlane said is ideal for the program.
“We want our patrons to come back and use the library,” Marlane said. “We don’t want this to become a barrier to access.”
This year’s Food for Fines Week takes place at all OPL locations Oct. 6 through Oct. 13.
“[Omaha Public Library] is happy to do this,” Marlane said. “I hope lots of people take advantage of it and donate to the food bank.”
