Escondido Public Library’s Holiday Food for Fines Program, concluded on December 31st, 2011, was the library’s most successful food drive program to date. 132 boxes of food and several blankets were collected, benefitting Interfaith Community Services in Escondido.

Interfaith Community Services’ Basic Needs Program operates a food pantry at its Escondido headquarters, providing dry goods to families in need. Normally, the program serves 60 families a day, but during the holidays numbers can rise to as high as 90 families daily. Interfaith staff stated they rely on the Library’s biannual food drives to augment other donations received throughout the year. The added donations help so that they do not have to turn anyone away.

The library’s program allows patrons to save money by clearing or reducing fines with food donations during the holiday drive. Even though this has been a difficult year economically for many, generous patrons brought in extra food just to help those in need and many brought in food even though they did not owe the library any fines.

Escondido Public Library will conduct its Summer Food for Fines Program during the month of July. For more information on upcoming library programs and events, visit the library’s website at http://library.escondido.org, or call 760-839-4684 for information.

The Escondido Public Library will hold a training session to teach the public how to download free library eBooks to their eReader device. The session will take place on Wednesday, January 18th from 11:00 a.m. until noon in the Turrentine Room. The Escondido Public Library is located in downtown Escondido at 239 South Kalmia Street.

The public is invited to bring in their eReader, such as a Sony Reader, Nook, Kindle, iPad, tablet or smartphone, and learn the basics of downloading library eBooks. All that is required of participants is basic familiarity with the use of their device. Library staff will provide step-by-step instructions for browsing the collection and downloading books from the library’s website http://library.escondido.org.

Escondido Public Library offers a wide selection of popular eBook titles, both fiction and non-fiction that can be “checked out” for up to three weeks. Library eBooks are free, can be conveniently accessed 24/7, and expire automatically which means no late fees.

This training is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but early arrival is recommended. For more information on the library’s eBook downloads, see the eBook webpage or call 760.839.4839.