Do You Live in Fear of the Library Police?

San Mateo County Library users who have an overdue book or DVD have a chance to donate food to clear their fines in a holiday program that starts today, library officials said.

The “Food for Fines” program runs through Dec. 31 at the library system’s 12 branches throughout the county.

Public libraries in Daly City, Redwood City, San Mateo and South San Francisco are also participating in the program.

Customers can take any amount of nonperishable boxed or canned food to a library branch and will have their outstanding fines and fees waived, library officials said.

The collected food will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Library officials encourage everyone -- not just those owing fines -- to donate to the program. Last year, the libraries collected 25,331 pounds of food for needy families, according to library officials.

--Bay City News