Helping the less fortunate this winter may be as easy as visiting the local library.

"When you share the warmth, ye shall receive" is the slogan for Briggs Lawrence County Public Library's annual Mitten Tree drive.

Patrons can donate new gloves, mittens, hats or scarves until Dec. 11, and in exchange, may have outstanding fines on overdue items waived. Donations of non-perishable food items will also be accepted in exchange.

But library officials hope even those who don't have finds will lend a hand.

Mittens will be used to decorate trees at each of the library branches and all collected items will be donated to local charities after the promotion ends.

"Š It's a way for the library to give back to the community," said Director Joe Jenkins. "It's a good time of the year to have this type of promotion because it means that people can help others by helping themselves."

Last year, the libraries received about 515 items of clothing (gloves, hats and scarves), several blankets and a couple of handmade afghans, Jenkins said. They also received five barrels and several boxes of non-perishable food items. All donations were given to the Ironton City Mission, Early Childhood Development Center and area food pantries.

The program began in 1987 with a simple premise.

"It started out as much as a way for people to pay overdue fines," Jenkins said. "It gives them the opportunity to deal with their fines and at the same time, give something to the community."

For whatever reason, Jenkins said that patrons are often reluctant to return books after having them out for an extended period.

"People don't often realize that fines on books aren't that much-they're only a nickel a day," he said. "People tend to think that if they've had a book out for a month or a few weeks that the fine will be $10, $20 or $30. But (fines on books) are never more than a $1."

The promotion only applies to overdue items, not lost or damaged ones. Overdue items must be returned in good condition. A single donation erases all fines for a single cardholder.

"Patrons still have to bring the items back," Jenkins said. "If the item is lost, then that is something that they need to take care of because that item really belongs to the people of the county."

For more information, contact any of the Briggs Lawrence County Library branches.