When the employees of the Pima County Public Library (PCPL) come together for a good cause, it is an understatement to say that they go “all out.” A raffle drawing, a spinning prize wheel, special themed gift baskets, a silent auction, and outrageously competitive bidding wars during a live auction last Friday created an exciting buzz and a lot of laughter at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue.

On April 13^th, library workers raised $7,011 in a single day to benefit the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Different library branches and staff members joined efforts and creative juices to assemble generous gift baskets of donated and handmade items that were awarded to the happy winners during the raffle drawing. Several businesses also donated gift cards and a variety of goods for baskets with themes including: Staycation, Let’s Get Fit, Go Local, Wellness, Exotic Food, Gardening & Seeds, Cookies Galore, and Car Care. Some of the items donated by PCPL employees included: pickled peppers, a basket of homemade jelly and biscuits; hand-knit and hand-painted items; a vase of homegrown antique roses; glass sculptures, handmade quilts, and jewelry; homegrown Greek oregano; and a garden consultation with a Master Gardener.

A framed landscape photograph created and donated by an employee’s spouse garnered the highest live auction bid at $170.

By the numbers:

• PCPL employees have raised and donated a total of $77,072 for this annual event since 1995.
• PCPL employees raised $190 at the first event in 1995.
• Pima County Public Library includes 27 branches and 1 affiliate library in Oro Valley.
• Every $1 donated equals $9.50 worth of food for the Community Food Bank.

“It’s amazing what people will do for a great cause like the food bank,” said Kristi Bradford, Branch Manager at Nanini Library and this year’s event coordinator. “In an hour-and-a-half, we can make a world of difference.”

A summary of the total contributions made by Pima County Public Library during the annual raffle and auction event over the last 18 years:

 About Pima County Public Library

The Pima County Public Library (PCPL) enriches lives and builds community through opportunities to learn, know, interact, and grow. With 28 libraries serving diverse communities across Pima County in southern Arizona, PCPL provides a wide range of free services that contribute to the economic development of the community and provide individuals with educational and recreational opportunities to improve their lives. For more information, visit www.library.pima.gov or call 791-4010.

Donate nonperishable food items to your Pima County Public Library branch during Food for Fines week, April 9-14, and the library will waive up to $10 in overdue fines from your library account.

Customers will receive a $1 fine waiver for each nonperishable food item donated, with a maximum donation of 10 items (and maximum fine reduction of $10) per library account.

All library branches are participating.  All donations will go to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and its affiliates in Ajo, Arivaca, Catalina, Green Valley, and Marana.

Only overdue fines will be waived.  Customers will be responsible for all other fines and fees, including lost or damaged materials.  Customers without fines cannot receive credit on their library accounts for donated items.

Please do not donate any glass containers or pre-opened items, and make sure that any donated food items with expiration dates have not expired.

Food for Fines provides a way to clear up overdue fines while giving back to the community.  Food for Fines generated 11,422 food items in 2011 for the Community Food Bank.

Food for Fines is held during National Library Week, which began in 1958 and is sponsored by the American Library Association.  It celebrates the contributions of our nation’s libraries and promotes library use.

For more information about Pima County Public Library, including branch locations, schedules, news and events, please visit www.library.pima.gov or call 791-4010.