Mayor’s Library Fine Amnesty and Christmas Appeal 2023
Do you have overdue books but don’t want to pay for their late fees? Non-perishable food will do!
The Mayor’s Library Fine Amnesty returns to the Hills Shire community, according to the Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi, on Friday, 17 November 2023.
The annual tradition means different libraries in the Hills Shire will waive fines for overdue books, made possible by the Library Fine Amnesty, in exchange for non-perishable food items.
All donated food items will be distributed to Anglicare for their Mobile Community Pantry, an initiative that provides cheap food options to people for the upcoming holiday season.
The non-perishable food items that will be accepted include:
- Christmas cake or pudding (500g or 700g)
- Tinned ham or chunky soup (450g)
- Tinned salmon or tuna (415g)
- Tea (100pk)
- Coffee (100g)
- Packet of biscuits (no chocolate biscuits)
- Dried pasta (500g)
- Pasta sauce
- Long-life milk
- Long-life custard
- Tinned fruit and vegetables (425g)
- Jam (500g)
Products that include chocolate, such as chocolate biscuits, can’t be accepted for the donation drive as it’s likely to melt. Visit any local Hills Shire library branch at Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Dural, or Rouse Hill to donate.
The Mayor of The Hills Shire acknowledged the importance of helping the less fortunate during Christmas.
“While Christmas is a wonderful and joyous occasion, it is a tough time of the year for many in our community,” Mayor Gangemi said.
“The Library Fine Amnesty and Mayor’s Christmas Appeal helps give extra support to those who need it most this Christmas.
“By partnering with Anglicare, we can ensure that the donated non-perishable items will go to families who truly need and benefit from them.”
In 2022, the Mayor’s Library Fine Amnesty had a harvest of 1,483 non-perishable food items in exchange for 217 overdue Library books.
