The "Can Your Fines" program has only been going on for a little over a week but Cronin said the community support has exceeded expectations.
Photo credit: Danielle Kahn

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – The Westborough Public Library is very pleased with how the “Can Your Fines” program is unfolding, according to Circulation Supervisor Mimi Cronin. The community response since the beginning of the program on Feb. 1 has been fantastic, she said.

Through the “Can Your Fines” program, the library is collecting cans throughout the month of February and donating them to the Westborough Food Pantry. Fines are removed for each non-perishable donation brought in.

“There has been nothing but positive feedback from the community. Even before it actually began we were getting donations,” Cronin said. “It feels like a real community effort. Helping the food pantry is wonderful, especially at this time of year.”

Cronin said they don’t know the exact amount of cans collected, but 10 days into the program she believes they have already far exceeded their expectations. Even though the Library is offering to get rid of fines in place of can donations, Cronin said many people without fines are donating.

“There’s an equal amount of donations from people with fines and people without,” Cronin said. “People will bring in a bag and I’ll say ‘OK, I’ll get rid of your fines,’ and they’ll tell me they don’t have any, they just wanted to donate.”

Because of the popularity of the program, Cronin can see this becoming an annual initiative.

“Our buckets are running full,” Cronin said. “And that’s not a bad problem to have.”