MAYFIELD, Ky. — The Graves County Public Library’s annual holiday food drive faced a decline in turnout this year, but that will not deter the institution’s dedication in serving the community, according to director Deana Gschwind.
Graves County Public Library director Deana Gschwind said that the annual “Food for Fines” December donation drive faced a significant decline this year.
Every December for more than a decade, GCPL has hosted the “Food for Fines” drive to benefit local nonprofits and food pantries; this year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Patrons could exchange canned and other nonperishable goods to reduce overdue fines. Each donated item equaled $1 waived of overdue library fines.
Despite persistent food needs, Gschwind said the incentive may not have the same draw ever since the library recently implemented an automatic renewal program in the system, which eliminated much of the fines.
Gschwind said a photo from the 2012 “Food for Fines” drive demonstrates the dramatic decrease in donations in subsequent years.
She said it’s a beneficial innovation for the library that has unfortunately had a negative impact on the canned food drive.
Gschwind said the community has not diminished in charitability, but the annual canned food drive likely needs to adjust incentives and marketing to maintain previous collection numbers. She said one consideration is extending the drive beyond the holiday season and conducting it during multiple, less demanding times of the year.
In the meantime, she encouraged the community to contribute even if members do not have fines.
Just like with the pandemic, Gschwind said that GCPL will continue to adapt and fulfill its role as a cornerstone of the community. She said the library is more than a facility to house and distribute books, and it boasts an extensive set of resources as a community hub.
Gschwind highlighted the J.U. Kevil story club, which accommodates those with special needs; and summer reading program to encourage intellectual stimulation during the extended break, along with various clubs, game nights, crafts opportunities and internet hotspots.
Additionally, outreach includes the Children and Family Librarian performing story time at area daycares and providing programming for Mayfield Independent’s after-school service CARDS After Hours, and the Bookmobile Librarian takes the vehicle to area events during the year.
Gschwind said one major shift in the paradigm was to virtual outlets as the need for paper materials drastically reduced, which was compounded by the mass quarantines during COVID.
To retain patrons, she said the library evolved to offer free online educational materials and some free classes:
- Kentucky driver’s practice tests and manuals
- Jobs for Teens: a platform to assist teens in the job hunt
- Free E-Book and audio downloads with a valid library card
- Universal Class: a continuing education platform for adults
- Hoopla Digital: a content download service with more than 300,000 titles of movies, music, e-books, audio, and graphic novels
- Mango Languages: a platform for learning second languages
- KYVL.org: a multi-database website with reference resources like Ebsco, NoveList, ProQuest and Learning Express
- Ancenstry.com and Family Search: research sites for genealogy and family history
- Scholastic Teachables: an online database of tens of thousands of searchable and printable educational materials
- Craftsy: an online resource for crafts makes, including everything from basic instruction to advanced techniques
- Law Depot: an extensive library of documents and legal resources with easy-to-use assistance
“Libraries have really had to offer more than they used to be able to offer,” Gschwind said. “Times have changed, and people expect more. For a library to be successful, you have to offer more.”
Will Spencer is a reporter for the Mayfield Messenger. Visit mayfield-messenger.com to read the full article.
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