overdue fine 3 days, $30.00 (rant)

[girlspell]

In all the time I've used our public library, i have never been one day late. Ever. Except for today. I borrowed 4 DVDs. They were actually a set, a Miss Marple DVD set from the TV shows. Except the library broke up the set and lent it to me as 4 individual items. They were 3 days late. I had forgotten to renew them. The fine was $30.00.

Comments

Over Due Fine

[anonymous]

I am sorry to here a public institution "robbing" a patron, masquerading as a "fine". Fines are suppose to be "gentle" reminders to return books on-time so others may also enjoy. Our local library (Northeast-USA) has a maximine dollar amount which they will fine you, (I have forgotten exact amt but it is reasonable). If a book/item is not returned you are billed the cost of the item so they may replace it, but they wait about a year just in case it shows up. We also have on-line services so we may renew our selections ourselves as long as they are not on a "hold" list for another patron.(This is particularly helpful since we don't live in town and try to plan several errands in to save on time/gas).I agree with another poster, your library director or overseers should review their policies and your letter may help them decide to revisit this issue. When our children were young we would borrow dozens of books at a time and some got misplaced. But, I found the librarians to be most accomodating and allowing us time to search for them before issuing fines. Our library understands the pupose of a library. Why would a library want to discourage the use of their services by issuing unreasonable fines? The more services that are used plus the more books borrowed makes a case for the library to ask for an increase in their budget. Good Luck.

Re: Over Due Fine

[girlspell]

Thank you. The rest of the overdue ($15.00) wss taken off after I wrote to the director of the library. The library counted the CDs as separate items, not the one item it really was. I did feel initimated at that library desk, that's why I handed over all the money I had. A robber with a gun would have had a tougher time getting my money. Their policy will not change. I just have to be more careful.