NILES – To help teachers stock their classrooms for the upcoming school year and offer residents a break on their library fines, the Niles District Library will host Teacher School Supply Drive Aug. 1 through Aug. 30.

Caryn Adler, the library’s adult services team member, implemented the first-time event. She said she is proud to see so many businesses stepping up to collect donations for children, but wanted to also show support to local teachers.

“Teachers need stuff, too,” Adler said. “Teachers spend their own money to stock their classroom and there are certain things that they need all the time.”

People are encouraged to donate pencils, pencil cases, crayons, markers, scissors, folders, paper, hand sanitizer, paper towels, tissues, glue sticks, dry erase markers and spray, Post-it notes, blank cards, invisible tape, small containers with lids and three-ring binders.

Several local businesses have vouched to partner with the library and help collect donations. People can drop off donations at any of the following locations:

• Brew Ha Ha, 920 Broadway St.

• The Brass Eye, 205 N. Second St.

• Custom Computer Company, 603 N. Second St.

• Edward Jones Investments, 213 E. Main St.

• Forever Clean Soap Works, 218 N. Front St.

• Leader Publications, 217 N. Fourth St.

• Paul’s Fine Jewelry, 721 E. Main St.

• Pizza Transit, 215 E. Main St.

• Shelf Life Bookstore, 223 N. Fourth St.

• Veni’s Sweet Shop, 228 E. Main

As a token of gratitude to people who donate supplies at the Niles District Library, the library will offer to reduce the person’s late book fines if they have any. The amount they will have taken off their fines depends on how much is donated, Adler said.

Once the donation period ends, the library will collect all donations and host a day where Brandywine and Niles district teachers can visit the library to pick up the supplies they need. A specific day has not yet been set, but Adler said it will take place before the new school year begins.

Adler hopes to make the Teacher School Supply Drive a tradition each year. And as people begin to shop for their own families to prepare for the new school year, Adler advised them to keep their local teachers in mind.

“We are about supporting our community and teachers are some of the bedrock of our community, we entrust our kids to them,” Adler said. “There are so many things that a teacher needs to supply for his or her classroom that has to come out of their personal budget. [We want] them to know how much they are appreciated.”