What's the best tuna? The kind that clears a library fine Write off your book fine with a case of tuna

Here's a compassionate twist on libraries' never-ending quest to collect overdue book fines.

At Sterling Municipal Library in Baytown, anyone with unpaid late fees can write them off with donations to local food pantries.

Through March, each nonperishable food item counts as $1 toward overdue library fines.

"It started yesterday and we've started getting donations," said Librarian Jamie Eustace. "The word is out and people are bringing food."

Canned goods are the most popular donations, but the library is also accepting unopened and unexpired cereal, peanut butter, dry beans, cake mix, baby food, pickles and other items that don't need refrigeration.

Sterling Library has conducted the food-for-fines program a couple times each year since 2005 and has found it an effective way to encourage people to pay up, Eustace said.

"They definitely think it's a great way to clear their records and feel good about helping people," she said. "So often people will avoid the library if they have fines."

Food donations count only toward overdue items. Patrons who have lost books or other library materials are still liable for the replacement cost.

In a typical week, the library collects enough donations to fill several photocopy-paper boxes, Eustace said.

Representatives from Baytown nonprofit Love Inc. pick up the boxes, which are distributed to local churches and food pantries, Eustace said.

Library Director Katherine Brown instituted the program after seeing it in other libraries, Eustace said.

carol.christian@chron.com