ELLSWORTH — Public libraries in Blue Hill, Ellsworth, Brooksville, Bucksport, Brooklin, Bar Harbor, Seal Harbor, Somesville, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor and Castine have declared the week of March 31 to April 3 to be Fine Amnesty Week in Hancock County.
During this week patrons who their overdue library items will have current and past fines excused in exchange for donations of nonperishable food. Those food donations will be given in turn to various local food pantries.
Demand on local food pantries has risen in recent months. For example, during November and December at the Westside Food Pantry in Southwest Harbor, use has increased by 92.3 percent over the same months of the previous year.
Patrons without overdue books are also encouraged to bring donations of food.
Participating libraries include the Blue Hill Public Library, Ellsworth Public Library, Brooksville Free Public Library, Buck Memorial Library (Bucksport), Friend Memorial Public Library (Brooklin), Jesup Memorial Library (Bar Harbor), Seal Harbor Library, Somesville Library, Northeast Harbor Library, Southwest Harbor Public Library and Witherle Memorial Library (Castine).