BETHEL — Do you have an overdue library book?

The Bethel Library has declared the week of May 9 to 14 Food Not Fines Week, part of a statewide fine amnesty food drive coordinated by the Maine State Library. During this week patrons who return their overdue library items will have current and past fines (not including item replacement charges) excused in exchange for donations of nonperishable food. The food donations will be redistributed to the local food pantry.

State Librarian Linda Lord says “Food Not Fines Week is a win-win event: you relieve your conscience of those nagging overdue items, libraries get errant materials back on the shelves to share with others, and together we all help our neighbors in need. Patrons without overdue books are also encouraged to bring donations of food.”

In Bethel donations can be brought to the library at 5 Broad St. The library is open Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday from 1 to 5 p.m.; Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call the library at 824-2520.

For a list of other participating libraries around Maine, go to www.maine.gov/msl/fines.shtml.