Here goes.
This is it.
That post.
The one that will likely make you avert your eyes, pretend you don’t know me, and start scanning for an “unsubscribe” button.
I’m frugal. I hate to pay more money than I need to . . . for anything. But I buy books at garage sales. That’s frugal to me.
Other people, even ones who aren’t as cheap frugal as I am, get them at the library and don’t pay a dime for them. But for me, library books are too expensive.
Let me give you one example (of many) of why this is true for me.
Almost two years ago, when my oldest son started to first grade, I took my other two children to the library. We used to go regularly for Storytime, but the Bible Study we attend now is on the same day of the week. This was a Wednesday before Bible Study started, but after school started, so I thought we’d squeeze in a Storytime. For some reason, though, they weren’t having it that day, and so my son begged me to check out some books on frogs. I gave in (though with great apprehension) and we checked out four.
Then, before the books were due, life started up. It was the year when we tried to do gymnastics on Tuesdays and Bible Study on Wednesdays. Add in two or three other random activities a week, and I was running ragged.
Library books? What library books?
Let’s just say, it was a very long time before I turned them in. And then, I’m pretty sure I just threw away the fine notices, and vowed to never go to the library again.
Whatever thoughts you’re thinking about me right now, believe me, I’ve thought them. How could a good mother let that happen? How could a good mother keep her children from the library? Why in the world didn’t she just take the stupid books back?
For almost two years now, I pushed the fine out of my mind and avoided the question when the kids asked to go to the library. I bought TONS of great books at garage sales, and told myself that that made it okay. I made excuses about why my oldest son couldn’t go to the Summer Reading Program at the library last year.
In my mind, I had a $40.00+ fine to pay, and I was never willing to sacrifice a big chunk of the budget for it.
But then, when my second son started school this year, and soon wanted to get books that took him further than his Kindergarten Campus library took him, he started begging to go to the library. Begging.
I avoided and made excuses.
I decided to swallow my pride/shame/whatever and take care of this issue that I’ve been avoiding, literally, for years now. Today was payday, and I went to pay the fine. First thing this morning. The minute the library opened so that hopefully I wouldn’t see anyone I knew.
But alas, I live in a small town, and I can’t go anywhere and NOT see someone I know. As we walked in, a woman whose name I don’t know, but who obviously thought we were long lost friends walked in with me. To the same desk where I was going. I stalled until she left, and sheepishly said I wanted to pay my VERY BIG FINE. Seriously, I felt light-headed.
Turns out, it was only 19.00. Still a huge fine, but nothing compared to the 40+ that I thought it was.
So I paid it, signed up my boys for their own library cards so they can go to the Summer Reading Program, and even . . . checked out a book for my daughter when she begged me to. We came home and created a designated spot for it in the shoe shelf by the back door. Hopefully with the boys going most weeks this summer, our fines won’t be as big.
I also signed up for their new online account system which allows you to renew books easily and get emails to remind you that your books are due.
This is one of many situations where I struggle to find the balance between accepting myself as I am, and not letting myself just be “how I am.” Does that make sense?
I can’t be a person who randomly stops by the library to research subjects and check out books whenever I feel like it. My brain doesn’t sense time passage when it relates to returning things, at least until the shame is so great that I want to will the situation to go away. But, at a time when we’re planning to go to the library weekly, we can get a few books at a time. Maybe.
Things like this make me really despise my slob-brain. I shouldn’t be this way. I’m a lover of books . . . I taught British Lit, for crying out loud, and I yet somehow, I’m not enough of a grown-up to be able to handle turning in library books, and my kids are the ones who suffer.
Grrrrr.
Jody says
Thank you so much for this post. I used to work in a library when I was in university but since that time have had a hard time making it there regularly. My last 3 experiences involved me realizing my books were due really late that day or the next day. I felt guilty for not being responsible enough to get them back on time on top of the fact that I used to be a librarian's assistant. Just this past weekend I took my 4 year old to the library to get his own card. I too feared losing track of time. We found a colored bin which is designated just for library books and our library bag. I have taped a sandwich bag to the front with the printout with the due date and have put his library card in it in the hopes that it won't get lost. Happy reading.
Anonymous says
That is the exact reason I don't go to the library, or rent movies, either.
Lisa in Hixson
Bec says
I have the same problem. Every time I borrow books I end up returning them late and building up large fines. I'm lucky with my library that aslong as you pay something off the fine when you want to borrow more they will let you. SO everytime I need to borrow something I bring in all my loose change to go on the fine, pay a couple of dollars off, return the new books late and build the fines higher.
I wish I was more organised
JoDi says
Funny you should post this today since it reminded me to renew a book that was due yesterday! LOL
Obviously, I have trouble remembering to return library books on time too. I always seem to end up with a fine of a dollar or two, and I've joked with the librarian when I pay the fines that I'm there to pay my "rental fee." It's still cheaper than buying them, but free is even better so I've been trying to do better lately.
Nony (A Slob Comes Clean) says
I just want to thank you guys for commenting on this post. It's one of those things that I put out there, and hope that someone will understand. It's such a relief to know that I'm not the only one out there who does things like this.
And bec, for some reason, your comment made me laugh. I guess it's that you're lucky they let you keep borrowing . . .
Thanks!
Emily says
Nony, I am a librarian & a reformed late-pay customer myself. Before I worked at the library, I never EVER got books back on time. I’d renew and renew, over the phone, and end up with a fine of $5.00 or more almost every time. But thankfully our library is now online, which I love! So easy to keep up with it, I just check that when I do other online things. 🙂
From the other side of it, as a librarian, we do understand that people aren’t trying to be mean when they don’t return books on time. We’re all human, we all misplace or forget or get busy (and honestly, I’ve heard a lot more interesting reasons for not returning your books – trust me, it’s bad!) so we try very hard not to be judgmental about it, and to give some grace.
After all, we’re all on this Earth together! Small town or big, shushing librarians or not, we all need to learn and grow. 🙂 Good luck with your current library cards! I’d love to hear an update.
Linda says
I think you just gave me the courage to return to my library. I had to leave my ex in a hurry and never got my library books back. I was too ashamed to ever take my daughter to the library (and am also ashamed about that) Thanks for your article and for your response to it Emily.
MJ says
This is why my husband is in charge of all things library. I love the benefits, but can't take the responsibility 😉
Beth W. says
Here's the thing: if I buy books (whether from a garage sale or a book store)they are ours to keep, which is great, but then I end up with way too many books!! If I'm trying to de-clutter, then using the library is my best option, even if I do end up paying some fines. We have a set day where we go to the library (usually about once a week) and I have a special shelf in my son's room where the library books go, so we know exactly where they are and what we have out.
Hope this helps!
Anonymous says
I have trouble with returning library books too. I have no excuse its only two and half blocks. I haven't went in a long time but will start to go once school out. I such a mean mom but my kids have to read at least 20 minutes a day in the summer. My oldest will be reading to kill a mockingbird. Iam also limit there tv only on raining days if that. It summer there enough to do with out tv.
Becky says
Wow. Again, it's like you write what's inside my head.
I'm missing two books. I know they're in my house. Somewhere. They're kids books so if I have to replace them it won't kill me, but I haven't been to the Library since NOVEMBER! Why not? Because I can't find those books and I'm too ashamed to go pay the lost fee because I know that somewhere in my house "It's Not Fair!" and "Elmo's Easter Parade" (from Easter-ish 2009)are just waiting to be uncovered.
btw, I talk about renting books from the library all the time. It's a mindset. People say, don't you mean check out? Nope.
Nony (A Slob Comes Clean) says
Becky, it's not like I'm one to talk, but I do know from experience that kids books are more expensive than you think. I did pay for one once, but the good news was that once I found it, I was able to take it to them and get my money back. ALL of it. I know that my friend told me that her library will refund all but a 5.00 processing fee.
Seriously, with this recent fiasco, I almost wished I would have just paid for the books as lost, and then "found" them, and returned them to get my money back. But alas, I'm too honest.
Melissa says
I own too many books because the library never seems to have what I want and I don't like interlibrary loan and….
LeaBeth says
Be sure you post your library receipt (check-out) list in an obvious place like on the fridge. Put your most responsible child in charge of taking the list to the bin and crossing off each book you are returning. Then go search for any that aren't in the bin. You need to assign a weekday, like every Thursday, to do this. You've trained yourself to do laundry on Mondays, surely you can train yourself to do a "book check" once a week, right? Then if you miss a week, you will surely get to it the next week, and books aren't usually due in less than two weeks. Make a rule that the kids can't check out books, CDs, or DVDs that are due in 7 days!! This has worked for us every summer for years as my kids have to do book reports for me every week over the summer. Also, our library has multiple drop off spots. I know you live in a small town, but maybe yours does, too? Good luck and happy reading!
shirley says
that would be a good idea, but our selective vision causes us to not see things that are posted in even VERY conspicuous places!!
Kelly and Kasey says
Nony – I owe $35 at the library and I've been avoiding it (and all talk of it from my 4 kids) for almost a year. Library? What Library?
But they REALLY REALLY want to go to the summer reading program this year. So I have to pay that fine… There's just one more thing – my husband doesn't know about the fine still as I have been deliberately keeping it a secret. (After last time with the DVD's, he banned me from renting and I did it anyway…) How do I come up with $35 and noone be the wiser!?
Yours in spirit-
Jamie
sunny says
oh my goodness. I am still avoiding a CHURCH library where I owe them $30. or I paid it (can't rememember). it was my mom's church and I'm too shy to go back there.
however, I'm all about my local library. I'm there twice a week at least. I will be reading a blog or an email, get a book idea, switch over to the library site and reserve a copy online. (haven't browsed the stacks in years!). Then I pop into the library, return whatever books are living in my car, and pick up the reserved ones. I still have fines sometime.
I also check my library account online every other day or so..and renew items as often as I can. sometimes when I return a book that's late but I still haven't read it, the librarians will try to renew it for me.
ALSO… since a friend works there, she told me about the ILL (inter-library loan system)..where if you have a book you want that your library county system doesn't have – it might be available somewhere in the state. each library is required to pay into the interlibrary loan system…so it's a service that's paid for… may as well take advantage of it!
I borrow home decor books that way – to see if I want to buy them for myself.
I also use http://www.libraryelf.com – and signed up for a weekly email that tells me what books I have out, which ones are due, which ones are overdue, and what order I am inline for the books on hold. that keeps me on my toes. I still have fines all the time (little ones). so there's no magic system for me.
I'm just thankful you shared your experiences with us so honestly. 🙂
RW says
Thanks so much for mentioning libraryelf.com! I have signed my family up for their free trial.
Out of sight out of mind here, and even if it’s sitting in plain view, once it becomes part of the scenery or piles develop above, we totally miss it. At times, we’ve been on a routine of visiting the library regularly, on a certain day of the week, but when life happens and something breaks the routine, it might as well have not existed. I’ve had a designated library bag for years, and routines for rounding books up. Still we miss start missing dates anytime anything changes in our schedules.
Our library has an online system and we can easily sign in and renew books twice after the initial checkout. But they send email reminders way later than a book is overdue, just as they used to with snail mail, and by the time I hear, it’s been racking up fines. I just found a book last night, a week later than it was due. 🙁 I had thought of renewing three days ahead of time, but if we renew ahead of time, it doesn’t just extend the due date, it makes it due 2 wks from that day and we use up one of our renewals too early. So it’s a waiting game of trying to remember on the actual day it’s due.
It’s not just the fines, it’s the angst and the embarrassment of having fines. Twice, when we genuinely HAVE returned a book on time and THEY have lost it, they don’t really believe us because we show a history of being overdue.
The library elf will give us notice — once reminded, I *will* take care of it and get things renewed or returned. If it works, I’ll pass the site on to friends.
Nikki b says
Another great service is the app overdrive. It has changed my library life. Nony, my worst fine puts yours to shame! 200+ dollars. I avoided it for so long out of embarrassment. When I finally got the courage up to return the books and pay the fine the librarian told me they’d had worse. I think we’re a little bit of crazy. 🙂
Going Cerebral says
I <3 the library system's emails!! Mine sends an email the day before with what is due back. I have a smart phone so it I get the email pretty much where ever i am and often times i'll allow it to sidetrack me enough to have the kids collect and gather.
Usually we keep them in one spot, often in one of our reusable bags. We *try* to go once a week, but it hasn't been happening. I also <3 placing holds online!
Anonymous says
(I realize it's been a while since this post, but I just found your blog yesterday and couldn't resist commenting on this one…)
Thanks for this post. It often feels that I am the only one in the world with Library-Issues. You should know that not only are you not alone, but you're far from the worst library patron around. My LTL, Library-Transgression-List, started when I swore up and down that I had returned 2 library movies (I really really thought I did) and the library forgave me of my charges, only to have a woman that I babysat for hand them to me and remind me that her 2 boys were finished with them…i dropped them into the drop box (which you are also not supposed to do) but went back to that Library several times until I forgot to return 2 more movies and they were so late that I couldn't bring myself to go back since I actually did owe the max, $40.00 for them. I then moved out of state and it's been 10 yrs that these vhs videos are haunting me on the shelf. (Yes, Lord, I know what I should do but does anyone even watch vhs anymore?)
Since then, in my new town, I have not only paid countless late fees (.35 here, 1.20 there, here a $5, there a $10, "never will be late again") But my usual conversation upon check out goes like this: "Can you please tell me what I have checked out? ok…yes…I know where that one is too…uh huh…got it…ok, thanks, I can still visualize *all* of those books somewhere in my house, so we're still ok." I have fore-gone the replacement fines on books and videos by having to Buy new materials because I broke a video and my puppy chewed up a book. I still feel like the only person whose dog ate their library book, that was an embarrassing day.
Most recently, I intercepted the mail and ignored the late-fine letters on 2 cd's I had taken out for so long that I received a letter stating that the materials had been classified as "LOST" and needed to be replaced at 27.00 each…on my *Husbands* card…poor guy. I took them back, all prepared to ask them to just take the cd's and revoke his card because I don't have $54.00 set aside for my neglect (he never uses his card anyway unless I forget mine and ask him to put something on his, and then look at what happens) But they were happy to see the cd's and said that if items are returned, they are then given the maximum fine…of $3.00 each. That wasn't bad at all, but I haven't checked anything else out since either. Libraries are dangerous places so, yes, I too BUY books. and when I ask myself why I can't just be responsible, I answer "I am being responsible. I'm recognizing my fault and doing the best I can to not let that happen again." and for now, that means No Libraries for me.
Nony the Slob says
THanks for commenting, Anonymous! I love getting comments on older posts!
Your comment made me laugh, especially the part about -does anyone even watch VHS anymore?_
Har-dee-har-har-har! That would be my logic, too!
Rebekah from Simply Rebekah says
Libraries can be a wonderful frugal tool, but I also have fallen under the trap of late fees. Just the other day I realized I was late on TWENTY-FOUR children's books!! 2-4!! *sigh* Not cool, people. Not cool.
Brandee says
You're not alone girl. I dread it when my children ask me to rent things from the library. Luckily for me, my children actually remember to return them and will remind me to take them by the library to drop them off. Pretty sad when a 12 and 9 year old can remember and I can't. lol
KellyJMF says
Being able to get reminders and renewing online has saved me from most fines. Sometimes if I can't find a book, I can renew it a few times to give it a chance to surface.
My daughter, however, can't seem to keep track of which books are from school and which ones we own and which ones are from the library. So I rarely have her check out anything. It's just too nerve-wracking and then embarrassing when I have to pay for a book she lost (often by loaning it out and then forgetting who she loaned it to…).
Anonymous says
Oh man, libraries. When I say that I hear you, I mean that I have stuff still out from my college library; I've had to mail things back to out-of-state libraries after I've moved (could have bought the book twice with what I paid in shipping); I've even had a card revoked!
On the other hand I've had librarians take pity on me and drop my fine down to what I could pay in cash right then. Lovely people, librarians!
Sarah says
I just stumbled upon your blog a few days ago and have been captivated by your transparent honesty.
I, too, have been avoiding my local library… Same story as you just a different verse. I feel guilty for not taking the kids but those late fees really add up. It is time to face my fear, pay that fee and help to create better library goers out of my children.
Boo says
I found your blog a few days ago and I'm gradually reading through it from the start. I'm beginning to think, though, that the 'normal' people aren't actually the norm – we are!
Having said that, my friends used to tidy my kitchen out of disgust when they called over – I remember them throwing out a purple tray of tomatoes that had turned blue and white and for some reason not believing me when I said it was an art project 'the colours are sooo pretty'!
I am exactly the same way with library books – in the past year I must have payed nearly E60 in fines:0. My library lets you chip away at the fine and so long as it is under a certain amount you can still take out books. I like the concept of 'renting' books from the library – it seems to be just what I do. I console myself with the thought that I am helping to fund my local library service!
Louise says
“I am helping to fund my local library service!”
YES! I used to feel guilty for late fees too, like I was not a good person for it. But when I reframed my thinking so I thought of it as donating money for the library to become an even better place, I actually kind of felt good about being “irresponsible”.
Michelle says
Ok, it is like I could have written this myself! I am constantly paying library fees and prefer to buy books at yard sales to avoid this. In fact I currently have books that are extremly overdue but can not find a few of them, will look one day and then forget about them for a week before i think about it again. When i finally do get them back I figure I will be blacklisted! lol. Love your blog!!!!
Slobwith100excuses says
I was pretty disorganized about my own kids library books, too, until I became a Kindergarten teacher. Another teacher at my school always had a shelf full of library books. Her classroom was the one used for after-school care, and I was impressed that kids of all sorts of grades would be poring over those books after school rather than playing outside. When I wondered how she could keep track with all the other books/activities in her room, she shared her tips. 1) She always checked out the same number of books (30 was the teacher’s max). 2) The books were carried in a cardboard file box designated for the library books. And the receipt for those books lived in that empty book box under her desk. 3) Library books had a special shelf in her classroom, and the due date was marked on her classroom calendar. 4) Kids would volunteer to gather up the books on the Friday before the due date. Two kids worked at hunting for each book on the receipt, placing it in the box, and checking off the name or number on the list!
Though I am not as organized with my personal library loans, I still follow the rule of one place to put them, a set number I borrow at a time, keeping the receipt in my book bag, and making sure they are all due on the same date. I sometimes renew books that haven’t expired just so the items will come due on the same date!
And yes, the library e-mails are wonderful.
Elias says
I’ve been in the same position. I kept racking up library fines and threw in the towel. For years I avoided the library until last year I MADE myself go every Tuesday and tried to get the books back a week earlier. I just tell myself they are due a week earlier and I also check out a set number of books. Sometimes my fines were as high as $20 multiple times. I’m still mad about it….(insert deep breath) and letting it go… Anyways, I’ve found a balance and also I gave up on checking out books in summertime when life has no schedule. 🙂
MontanaSherryC says
Wow. I am so glad I happened to stumble upon your site today. Everything that I’ve read so far sounds like something I could have written (but might not have had the courage to). Thanks for your honesty and transparency. This library book post had me laughing and cringing both, because I know the subject matter so well. Today, in fact, is the day that I had already planned to go and face up to the librarian. I’ve been nervous about it for nearly a week. The books were returned long, long ago, but, not wanting to face the shame and humiliation–not to mention the fines–I haven’t been to the library for nearly four years. And yes, I am a former high school English teacher, now a home educator, with a huge emphasis in literature in my home. Ugh. Thanks for writing. Wish me courage this afternoon!
Rhonda says
I think I have everyone beat. I once had a fine of $75. $75!!! Really! That doesn’t include all the $20 here and there that I’ve owed. I have such wonderful memories of visiting the library as a child, though, and have a daughter that loves it as much as I did. So, I continue to go. I do tend to shop used bookstores and use paperbackswap.com.
I love your site, Nony. I feel like I’m reading my own life story. I love the idea of starting with one thing, then adding one non-negotiable each week. I started today. 🙂
Shanna says
Big, blinking neon checkmark.
I just decided I don’t like the library anymore. Half Price books, yard sales and Amazon-then I can read in the tub with no fear! After a certain time my library just forgives the fine!!! How can I respect that!!! If I am going to be disciplined it has to be hardcore, like drill seargent in boot camp hardcore, otherwise I will just not take it seriously.
Leila says
we own a great many movies from Redbox for the same reason. I now go to a great library that doesn’t charge fines. When the sweet librarian told me they didn’t charge fines I just about kissed her.
Nony says
Ha! Thankfully, my husband’s pretty paranoid about our Redbox movies, or I’m sure we’d have a few too!
Erin says
I cut up my library and movie rental cards after I learned (the hard way) that the local library automatically sends overdue accounts to COLLECTIONS after a certain amount of time. So, now that’s on my credit report. : (
Nony says
Oh Erin, that sent shivers down my spine!
RW says
There are amnesty days for our library, and librarians are very forgiving and reasonable and take your word if you say they’re wrong…
But know that here, you can eventually get turned over to Collections (it’s in their published policy) — or even get arrested. It’s been two or more decades ago that police rounded up a list of long overdue and egregious patrons. Made a splash in the news. I am serious. Wish I could find the news articles online. Ha, Should go to the Research Dept at our library and ask them to find it for me!
diane says
I have to say, I recently discoverd your blog and can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see that I’m not the only one who struggles with similar issues. For example, I went to New Orleans to visit family and what did I leave in my hotel? (that never turned up.) My library book. It looked like it had been through the war but it cost me $30 anyway.
Marcy says
Couldn’t resist posting, I have had such an issue with this all my life! When we come home from the library and the kids say “Daddy, Mommy paid $58 in fines today!” My dear husband just says, “That’s just the way your Mom is. If that is her only fault, I guess I’ll keep her” Well it is far from my only fault, but thank the Lord for a forgiving husband. The funny part is, I actually have a “Library Fees” category on my Quicken bookkeeping system and at the end of the year, I list my fines on my tax return! I consider it my contribution to the library and hope they buy many more wonderful books for our community to enjoy. (Doesn’t that make it sound more honorable?)
Nony says
The tax return thing made me laugh!
Kate says
I’ve had triple digit library fines…..
Paula says
OMG, Are you my twin sister??. Not only about this post, but pretty much all else, like my flylady failed attempts.
I visit the library, just as I do the bookstore, to read the book INSIDE and leave it there.
Tracy Lynn Hogan says
This is the ONLY subject I have found on your site (so far) that I miraculously have no problems with! When it comes to library books coming due, I practically have supernatural senses, and even if I’ve “lost” them somewhere in the house, I can usually find them within a few minutes of searching for them, like I have library book radar. Hooray for me!
Having said this, however, I must confess that on my bookshelves are some library books I inherited that were checked out by my mother in the 1960’s, and by my GREAT-GRANDFATHER in the 1930’s!! (Obviously the forget-to-turn-in-your-library-books gene skips generations.) Will I ever turn them in? Heck no, it wasn’t MY fault, and I can’t even imagine what sort of fine there’d be for a book that has been overdue for 80+ YEARS! Then again, I can never bring myself to throw these old library relics out, either . . . I mean, it’s A LIBRARY BOOK!
Nony says
Go you! I have a few things that I stay totally on top of, but library books are most definitely not one of those things!
peigi says
Thank you so much for posting this! I have books in my trunk that are more than a year overdue right now. I’m to the point that the embarrassment is worse than the fine. Ugh. It is SO empowering to know that I’m not the only one that does this. We quit renting movies for that same reason. I have great intentions, but my follow-through stinks. Thank you!
Melissa Middleswart says
Arrghhhh!! I was a public librarian (county library,in a small town) for 30 years and this sends shivers down my spine for a different reason. I have clutter issues, too (that’s how I found this blog, it was in a local newspaper article in St. Joseph, Missouri, about spring cleaning and organizing). I’ve been reading my way thru from the oldest and have just reached May 2010.
I do understand forgetfulness, but I just have to say that it’s so distressing from the library’s point of view when books go missing for so long, and then the staff spends so much time doing reminders, and calls, etc., to try to get them back (all automated nowadays, I’m sure, but we made a lot of phone calls, back in the day). Our library did not charge fines (one of the few like that), but we did block your card after a set amount of time, unless you brought them back or paid for the books.
But what distresses me most, I think, is that the family is being deprived of the joy of libraries–where you can find so very, very many things on so many subjects, not to mention so many good books to read for the fun of it. Buying at a garage sale is rarely going to help you with your homework assignment, or let you find just the book on the subject you are most interested in.
So as a retired librarian, may I just suggest that you do what you must to find a good system to remind yourself, but DO USE YOUR LIBRARY–it’s an invaluable resource! Not to mention story hours, summer reading programs–so many good things for kids, as well as adults. I live in a different town from the one where I worked for so long, and my town’s library does charge fines–I’ve only owed a nickel once, and that was for a book that I thought I’d returned, and they later found it on the shelf, so I was right. 🙂 (I remember well how embarrassing that is for the library staff, when we would goof up and the book didn’t get checked in correctly–it does happen, I’m sure, in all libraries).
I hope I’m not sounding harsh, here–I was a librarian for so long because I loved connecting books and people, and reading is one of my great joys in life. So I obviously love libraries and it kills me to think of someone depriving themselves of that great resource!
Nony says
Yes, I’m proud to say that we didn’t pay ANY fines during last summer’s reading program!
Also, thanks for letting me know how you found me! I wish there was a way for me to know when my site is mentioned somewhere offline.
Donna says
I set alerts on my phone starting 3 days before they are due.
Karrie says
Donna, that’s a great idea. I had my kids each get their own cards. They are responsible for what they check out. If it’s not in the library bag, I can’t return it. They have to wrk off the fines by doing odd jobs for me.
RW says
Now, there is a real good thought. At the library, when checking things out, go ahead and set the alert… this would handle our most complicated situation.
We tend to go to one of several different library branches, depending on where we are in town, and have holds sent to the nearest library depending on where we’ll be traveling the next few days. We no longer have our old schedule of having one library day at a fixed location and at a fixed time of the week — back then, I could just round up all library books every Tuesday, for example. Our current usage is in no pattern and gets too much to remember.
I’m trying (as I said above) the library elf.com, but think I’ll try this one, too! It would also work for other rentals. Guess I am going to have to learn to use my smart phone.
MG says
Oh that’s good, I totally relate! My husband actually had a library fine show up when we were buying our first home! It was from a local college that we were brought to in high school to do research and check out books once. And it wasn’t even that big! We do check out books but I TRY to draw the line at DVDS because we don’t do well with them. Our library also has a PAY online now, which is nice and not embarrassing (except that then my husband would know about it!)
Emily says
Glad I’m not the only one! I recently paid over $40 to get my account back in good standing, and that was because they threatened me with a collection agency… and unfortunately I know from past experience that they don’t waste time going to collections, as one of the few marks on my credit report is from the library for around twenty bucks. Sigh. Those librarians are ruthless.
Leila says
Oh my, library fines are another one of those hot button topics. I’ve done ALL of these things. I avoided the library for years because I knew I had fines and couldn’t afford it. And if I’d wanted to buy the book, it would have been much cheaper and brand new, at a an actual store. With coffee. I started buying at yard sales & trading with friends, but I still have too many books. So I recently went back, paid up, and made a new plan. I have a designated shelf for the items I’ve borrowed, I take each one back as soon as I’ve finished it (which means at least there won’t be a fine on that one), and I got them to change my email address to my work email instead of home, improves my chances of seeing the due date before it expires. Anything not read by the due date goes right back and I can renew it if it’s not overdue. Yay, no more fines. The less I have to remember & the more I can make a system for, the better I do.
Amber says
When I come home after visiting our public library, I write the total number of books and clip the receipt on the calendar on the day that the books are due. That, and trying to make a regular library day in our week, has saved us from too many library fines. Hopefully this tip will help.
Anonymous says
Don’t feel bad. We haven’t even to the library in over four years because I’m too afraid/embarrassed to go to the front desk and ask to pay my overdue fines. I keep imagining that the librarian is going to charge me the $50+ I owe, then cut up my library card – in front of everyone including my kids. Ugh. I just need to do it. Like you, I’ve been accumulating a ton of books that I’ve bought because of how bad I am at returning books.
gigi says
OMG! I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I can NOT check out real books from the library because I will forget/lose them and end up owing more than they would have cost. BUT, the KINDLE has been a lifesaver for me. Not only have I stopped filling my house up with real books (I read, don’t watch TV), but I save tons of money by borrowing Kindle books from the online library. NO LIBRARY FEES – the books just disappear from my Kindle when they are due.
But, I don’t have kids and my solution wouldn’t be great for young children because they need the actual books with the photos. Glad you sucked it up and are making it work for your kids sake.
unmowngrass says
I also very rarely use the library, for all the reasons you’ve mentioned, but the times I do, the library emails me 3 days before. (VERY helpful!!) However, they put in the email that the books are “pre-overdue”. WHAT?! Wouldn’t that just be “due”?!
Dana White says
Hahaha!!!
celina boulanger says
i have discovered eBooks at the library…
no going , no returning it is awesome..the kids really resisted..but are coming around.
Tine says
Maybe your kids are old enough now to be in charge of the library book return job. And because you take them, perhaps they can even monitor your books’ due dates. Seems like a fair exchange to me, and it will help shape their time-recognition skills.
romy says
I became a librarian so I wouldn’t have to pay overdue fines. The degree is worth it’s weight in fines. 🙂
Dana White says
Hahahaha!!! Love this comment!!
andrea peck says
$19.00? That is nothing. I have paid way more than that and though I’m embarrassed and annoyed at myself, I could not imagine a week without the library. Don’t beat yourself up – you are with very good company. Honestly, I consider it the price of being informed!
I say: Go Back and be proud. No one ever died because you were late with a book!
Rachael says
I love this blog. I stopped going to the public because I “lost” 2 books. I called and paid for them but was so embarrassed. My oldest son and I would attend story time every week and enjoy all the library had to offer. I read tons of books to him and enjoyed reading Karen Kingsbury. I started reading her books by finding them at the library. My second son came along and life happened. I started losing track of things and lost library books. My mom found one book underneath the family room couch and I did get a refund. But I see someone I know each time I go to the library and just stopped going….paying fines and having a child run around like a monkey just put an end to those days. I can also blame my kindle. Thanks for posting this! It makes me feel like I am not alone in my struggles.
SBK says
A long time ago I applied for a library card. I was maybe 18 or 19 and had just moved to the town to attend a local college. Well, as it turns out, the college had a pretty decent library of their own and since I worked full time in addition to attending school, I never got around to picking up the library card. Flash forward a few years later when needed a specific book (for some post college courses) off to library I went. I told the girl I had applied for a card, but hadn’t ever picked it up. Off she went before I could give her any info. When she returned 10 minutes later I figured that she’d want me to fill out some paperwork. Nope. She told me she had my card. I was rather surprised and explained that I had just been so busy that I never got around to picking it up. She raised an eyebrow and said “for FIVE years????!!!” And then she handed me my card. I used the library in the next town over because I was so mortified by my inability to retrieve the card in a timely fashion and I couldn’t fathom handling a late fee with that girl.
april says
All I am going to say on this subject is: I have had a late fee of over $100 at a library.
Gwen says
I work at a library and still have had fines on movies, and funny enough, I’m usually late returning the movies that I don’t watch because I forgot I had them, or I’m too busy. If you can come up with a system, the library is wonderful. I HATE to tell people they owe huge fines for late fees. Usually people understand, and like you, just pay the fine eventually. We do have used books for sale (perhaps most libraries do) and that’s a great deal if you don’t want to risk late fees. It’s all good!
Shelley says
Oh the stories I could tell! I have an audiobook cd stuck in the player in my car. They wouldn’t take the remainder of the set, I had to replace the whole bunch. I’ve had fines up to 200.00. But I stick to one branch; they’re understanding and let me pay as I go. I still haven’t, at 55, balanced reserves and dates so I’m not taking 20 books out at a time! But it’s my favorite place.
Leslie says
I can so relate to this! I was embarrassed to pay my fines, but never stopped going to the library. Reading was my escape and if I checked out books and returned them (even late), no one but me and the librarians knew my little secret of just how many books I was reading. Anybody out there ever said, “This week was so bad I read five books!” I miss those days sometimes….
We are not alone in our lateness and our selective vision. Embrace who you are and get out there and enjoy life! I bet those other people at the library have had at least one overdue fine, too!
Jennifer says
i love going to the library but i have the same issue with returning on time. it’s usually not that I forgot about them either, but just that i don’t have TIME to go to the library (a sin, really, since the library is a block away from where i work). the one time i had a $20+ fine, the library books were sitting in a bag, on the front seat of my car *ready to be returned* for over a month. But i had an entire bag of books that i had bought at the library’s used book fundraiser sale, so my motivation for going to the library had briefly been lost. And the worst part is, my library has an online function where i can renew the books i have out without even setting foot in the library. even at that, i still usually have to pay $1-$2 every time i return books. *le sigh*
Shelli says
I am so glad I am not the only one! I should have a shelf in the library named after me! I cannot check out dvds there for sure. They can only be checked out for a week and every day late is equal to a $1 fine….. My brain doesn’t register time well either. Last week my kids were begging to go to library. I finally gave in and embarrassingly paid the big $16 fine. I should have just bought my kids the dvd – it would have been cheaper!
Sue says
Our library has an amnesty day I think once a year where you can pay with cans of food for the local food bank.
My 35-year-old son still has his first library card that he got when he was young enough that it has my signature on it! The library has several times offered to give him a new one (it’s not in the best shape) but he thinks it’s cool to have and use, which makes me proud. I don’t know if it has a barcode, so surprised they don’t force a new one on him.
I actually don’t have a library card because my home is outside the city limits (I live in what’s called an enclave because we are surrounded by the city) and I’d have to pay quite a bit for a card. But when my kids still lived at home we went all the time (and were in the city limits).
Amy C. says
I can so relate to this. I blame my mother. 😉 she was a librarian, so we always had library books. We were allowed to check them out for 6 weeks and if they were overdue, it was no big deal because we didn’t have to pay fines. I never internalized the habit of returning library books on time. now I have 4 kids, so checking out a “few” books for each kid can add up to big bucks quickly. This summer I resolved to do better. I have set up reminders on my calendar for when they’re due and my older daughter got her own library card, so I can make her be responsible for her books. Of course, I still have to drive her to the library or return the books for her, but if she knows she’s responsible, she’s more likely to nag me to do it, instead of losing the books and racking up the fines on my account.
Maggieq says
The cost of ONE MISSING book PLUS processing fees? Ugh. Yeah, I stopped encouraging it for a while, even threatened to make the kids pay it out of their own money. But, justified that the cost of one book was still cheap in comparison to the number of things they enjoyed. I still slowed our trips, though, especially around holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas where time flies and I can’t keep track of when things are due, or where they get shuffled.
Momuv3princesses says
Oh man…. I would be thrilled with a $19 fine!!!! Thank goodness our local library system occasionally does Food for Fines where you donate non-perishable food items and get $1 in credit towards your fine for each item you donate. Let’s put it this way…. I just donated about 90 items to pay my fine!!! I was putting these fines off for over a year (my library is nice about if you only pay a little something here and there they will let you keep checking books out… they should though, they make a huge profit from me). I am SOOOO happy to have them paid but I need to find a way to not allow this to happen again. (I always say that and when Food for Fines comes around I usually need about 50 items to pay it.) UGHHH!
Brenda Wagner says
I think my current library fines are around 70 dollars. Yea
Lisa says
Oh, been there done that. I am an avid reader, and borrow from the library all the time. Two things that work for me, I use our libraries eclectronic lending library. I download to my iPad, and they return automatically at the end of the lending period. Secondly we have a library bag, it is just a reusable shopping bag with a pocket that we keep library cards and our check out receipt in, but it is the library books home. Usually they go back in the bag once we are done reading them, and if we happen to miss one we have the receipt so we know what we are looking for. Since we’ve been doing this we’ve lost one book, but no late fees! Compared to my usual 20-30 dollars among in fees.
Lisa says
20-30 dollars a month in fees. (I proofread really well right after I hit post)
Meg says
I have a confession to make…
I am a homeschooler, who loves the library (as do my 3 kiddos…), but we haven’t actually been to the library in almost a year. I accidentally misplaced the bag of books, and when I finally returned them months later, the fine was over $400. Yes, OVER four. Hundred. Dollars. I cried.
I was able to negotiate getting the fine reduced by half, but $200 just isn’t in our budget. My poor husband didn’t know how bad it was until it showed up on our credit report. Ahhhh
We stick with yard sales books now, too. :-/
Dana White says
Oh no!!!! That is a NIGHTmare!!
jen says
I just returned a old book this morning that was due 3 months ago. I drive past the library twice a day! Whats wrong with me? lol I have that image of that story that a woman was actually arrested for over due books. I dont want to be that woman! lol
Joy says
you and me both! I must have return aversion syndrome. And it’s everything. Stuff I by that’s too small, library books that are late, I hide it in a corner and it whispers at me every day as one more thing I haven’t done!!!!!!!!!!!
Rebecca Besaw says
You all need to move to my town! No late fines and you can have up to 3 “I swear I returned that” books on your record before they stop you from checking out anymore. I have had that happen twice…and found the “I swear I returned that” book…and just turned it in, no questions asked, no eyebrows raised. At least not to my face. Lol.
LucyBelle says
I once got a huge fine because I lost one of the books by those “slob sisters” ladies–a book on how to get organized. *hangs head in shame* They basically made me buy it, and I had no idea where it was! 🙁
Rhonda says
I used to be terrible about library fines, but I’ve done okay the past couple of years. Not great, but okay. My library has an app, which means I can renew books on my phone and check when my books are due. Also, like someone else mentioned, I have discovered how to check out ebooks and it is wonderful! I can check them out directly to my phone and I never have to worry about late fees!
Another slob... says
OMG, this sounds like my own story, except mine involved loosing 10 books over 10 years ago. I finally bit the bullet and paid for them because my children love to read. I’m so glad I did because we have access to every book we could possibly want, but even with all the advances in technology I still struggle to not let fines accrue. I have to accept that this is my nature and I will always have to work extra hard to avoid my tendencies. Makes me feel better that I’m not the only one like this.
Janet says
This is totally me! Thank u
Ronda says
I have struggled with this in my day. Fortunately, when I was teenager, when my problem was at its very worst, our library had a no-fine week now and then. Everything was forgiven, and if you brought your books back that week, there were no fines. I managed to get out of a VERY large fine (though my term paper STILL wasn’t done) and since then have mostly kept it manageable. I do incur fines occasionally, but since they’re usually less than the price of one book, I consider it worth it. And now that I can can RENEW BOOKS ONLINE, it has made life a LOT less difficult!
Greeny says
I’ve been at war with the local library for some time now. First we had some minor battles, I would turn in a book, they would inform me that it was never turned in. It would soon be found on their shelves. Last summer, there was one book I turned in, I searched here, I searched there…finally *magically* this book appears on the shelf 3 months later where it belongs, I take up to the library aide. And have a few polite, but serious words about this growing problem.
Christmas rolls around, borrow a CD, if you think book fines are fun, CDs and DVDs are much worse. Borrow a Christmas CD, return it and wouldn’t you believe it has never been found? It is now October, this CD was turned in at the end of last year and is still missing. Anyone want to take a guess on how my fees look? Lol.
I refuse to pay for the CD because this isn’t a first-time issue, this isn’t something that “rarely” happens. This is insanity. I avoid the library now. Every once in a while I’ll go in and buy a VHS tape for a quarter or some 10 cent books for the children, the librarian will give me a look because that’s all I’m there for.
When Christmas rolls around and the holiday CDs come back out, I will again be searching for that ridiculous CD.
*sigh*
Amber says
I have been reading your blog from the beginning. Your story is so much like mine that it’s frightening. As I read through the comments on your post today, someone mentioned that they could pay their fees online. So I checked my library site and I was able to pay mine. $44.20. But I’m pretty sure that my kids’ cards also have fees attached because I was thinking we owed the library around $90. Buuuuut since I can’t currently find my kids’ cards… yeah. So I have decided to start a journey like yours- I made our bed yesterday. And last night my hubby made fun of me *sigh*. But I am determined to make it better in the long run for our kids. Thank you for sharing your story. It is the motivation that I needed to be able to see that it is possible to declutter an deslobify my house. So I am off to do the dishes (which will probably take at least 3 hours since I don’t have a dishwasher). Oh well, it’s a starting point…
Mercedes says
Just looked up my fines right now. $1.19 on one, $25 on the other. Phew. Maybe I will go back.
Mars says
Right now, as I type, I owe the library a book I can’t find! And I know it’s somewhere, so I don’t want to pay them for it, but . . . I can’t find it anywhere. Logical, right?
Upstate NYer says
I don’t quite understand this all. I write the due date on the kitchen calendar. So I am aware of when they are due. I order books/dvd’s/music I’d like to checkout by home on the computer. They send me an email when it arrives at my local library (from other ones far away). On errand day I pick them up and it takes less than 10 minutes to checkout/return old stuff. So easy!
Most of you go to the grocery store weekly or bi weekly, right ? Why not return them on the same day as shopping -without the kids? Some libraries even have outdoor library drop boxes. No need to go inside.
Libraries are a wealth of great information. Most areas even pay taxes to have these “free” community services/lectures/craft sessions/story hours. Take advantage of the “free” people !
Amy Dorr says
I completely understand this! I’ve accepted the fact that I’m bad at returning books on time. We do borrow DVDs which the kids watch on the DVD player in my truck. I find it easier to remember to return them since they stay in my vehicle.
Theresa says
I loved your article and all the comments after it. I’ve been on both sides of the book checkout.
When I was part of a city library, after I’d left my page position, I was sick and kept out 6 VHS tapes, 5 days after thier due date for a total of 30 dollars.
I still haven’t managed to conquer the 1 week checkout, but fortunately for me, the library I go to now, bills fines for DVD’s at the same rate as for books, or 10 cents.
When I worked for the city library there was a case where the police were called, but it was extreme circumstances. There was a limit of 50 items per card, but this one lady had managed to checkout boxes and boxes of books. Over serveral conversations with the library she freely admitted that she had the books, and that she knew where they were, but that she had NO intention of returning any of them.
. o O( the childish taunt “neener, neener, neener..” comes to mind)
The library was able to document the case and was able to send the police in to retrieve the library property.
My current library has a 100 item limit, but I’d be scared to use it.. fines are .10 a day, but after $25 is accrued they send you to collections automatically.
I use library elf.. it is easy for me, because my library has an agreement and pays for it for each subscriber.. and I use todoist to prioritize my reading and watching according to due date.. I LOVE the Kindle.. and I still buy a lot of books because the books I am into are not always popular enough to remain in the collection 10-20 years after publication. PaperbackSwap is awesome!
I’ve found Scribd.com so I can use books that are going to take me more like a year to apply without running over a due date or committing to buy them all. I tried the Prime Lending Library, but my interests don’t like up with the Lending Library or Amazon Unlimited book service (having a brain blank right now for the actual title of the service) I’ve seen Oyster advertised, but I know I’m sticking with Scribd and so I haven’t checked that one out.
Actually, my significant other hung a wooden CD rack on the wall of my bedroom to hold my library books, so if I have any semblance of getting things back its probably because of him.
Yace says
Thank you so much for posting on this topic. I thought I was the only parent out there that had difficulty with this. I started putting books on hold because I find it difficult to go to the library and search for my own books in addition to my daughter’s. I was so pleased that my library was providing this service, until… they started charging for not picking up held books on time. Not the usual $0.20/day, but a $1/day. I was so discouraged, I stopped using the service and pretty much stopped using the library altogether. I understand someone was doing the job of looking for the book on my behalf. But I just could not handle the stress of accruing fines without even having the opportunity to read the book.
Dana White says
That makes my heart sink to think of $1 a day for holds!!!
janice says
So I put 7 books in my bookbag to return and also a small bottle of Pepsi. Didn’t realize the cap was loose. Had to pay original cost on all the books. Total $75.00. I rarely go to the library since then. I get books to trade at the little libraries or purchase them at thrift stores. I favor magazines now. On a fixed retirement income it’s hard to make sense of the fines, plus in the autumn of my years it’s easier to be forgetful. I used to love spending time at the library.
Stephanie says
My husband actually told me I can’t take the kids to the library anymore cause I wait until the very last hour to return the books. If I go again, I will go every other week. We are done with them by then and then forget about them until I freak out and run out of the house too late to return them…..I’m pretty sure I have $20 in fines sitting there…..
Amy says
Nony – I feel you. Let me put it this way: I know how high of a fine my library allows me to have and still check out books (under $10, if you’re curious) and that fines are lower on items checked out on kids’ library cards than on those checked out on adult library cards and that book fines are nothin’ compared to DVD fines! I too struggle greatly with keeping track of library materials (despite repeated attempts at a designated library bag to contain them) TPAD with regard to return dates. I actually called the library the other day because I’d gotten an email informing me I had a fine on books that I was sure I’d returned – so sure that I called the library and asked them to look for said books on their shelf. A few hours later I found the books in question – on a surface in my house, at the bottom of a pile :/. I’d like to blame the fact that we’re moving and my brain is filled with packing, but the reality is – I’m a work in progress, like the rest of us. Just wanted you to know you’re not alone in this. and watch out when you have kids with cards – I’ve been guilty of switching to using their cards to avoid paying my fine – until all of our cards owed too much to check out books :P.
GrammaDeb says
And then I discovered library EBOOKS. Our library offers ebooks in several formats. I check out a book for my Kindle using my computer, and 3 weeks later it is automatically erased and returned. No fines, no trips to the library.
Katia says
I’ve lost a book (“The Romantic Poets”, to be more specific) from the library TWO YEARS AGO!!! I mean it is somewhere here…. but I don’t know where :((( The fine is 19.36 USD & I don’t have it 🙁
I’m so hopeless…
Melzie says
Do they have an amnesty day at your library?!
Cara says
Ok because of this post I emailed our library just now to see if I have any fees that need to be paid on my daughter’s and my library cards. I know we have them but have been too busy/nervous about the amounts to do anything about it! I feel so guilty anytime I drive past one of the 8ish libraries in town. I probably should just walk in with some cash and pay the darn things!!!!!
Melzie says
I can’t wait to show this post to my husband! Maybe it will help him understand that I’m not the only one in the world who has a problem returning library books on time. I tried to look on the bright side; I’m creating job security for the librarians in my town!
Lee says
Library books are a struggle for us too! Like others who commented, I find that it helps to 1, always check out the same number of books, 2, put the due dates on my calendar (I actually put a week early to give myself a better chance!), and 3, keeping them in a special place and in a special bag. My toddler knows that the bag means magic and gets excited when I hand it to him!
CGB says
Love this post! Now that I’m a mom with a job and two busy kids, I find that I tend to rack up the fines, too. One thing that helps is setting a reminder in my electronic calendar as soon as I check out anything, for the day before it’s due. This doesn’t stop life from happening – it’s always something – but at least the books don’t totally fall off my radar.
Susana says
makes SOOOO much sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kelly says
Borrowing ebooks from the library will change your life – they return themselves! Seriously. No late fees.
Heather says
Ditto. Also, I used to WORK at the video store, but still had many rentals that I bought because that was far cheaper than paying the humongous late fees. 🙁
Sue says
Our library does something really neat to help you with fines. At least once a year (can’t remember how often), you can take in cans of food in lieu of paying fines. Food all goes to the food bank, books get returned, big win all around. Suggest it to your local library. Here’s a link to their FB page showing the announcement for one a couple years ago: https://www.facebook.com/spl.oregon/posts/10152122012138759
Sue says
PS: Forgot to mention: my older son, who is 37, still has his first library card that he got before he could write, so I signed my name on it. They try to give him a new card once in a while, but he’s really proud of that card that his Mom signed! It’s pretty beat up.
Leisa says
I am so glad you did this post. I thought I was the only one this happened to. I have tried so many ways. Book bag by the door ,I have even taken pictures so I know what books we had. The kids lose them in the van with the French fries, in their closets under beds and mixed in their book shelves. I find them in conditions I won’t return them in. Torn pages, wet and damaged from spilled kool-aid that they don’t tell about so I can clean the books up. And I go and just pay for the books because I can’t find them or they are damaged.
I tell myself we will go again next year. This is a faze. It will be better when they are a little older. Sound familiar?
Well are family restarted again. 5 minutes pick up, load the dishwasher every night , fold laundry as it gets done. Listen to your podcast regularly so I don’t get over whealm. I can’t change yesterday. So start fresh today and carry-on. But it’s nice to know I’m not the only one.
Amanda says
Oh, my! This post really struck a chord with people 🙂 My kids (age 6 and under) regularly borrow books from the church library. (Our town library is a 15 minute drive away. I refuse to go, when 2 neighboring town libraries are 5-8 minutes away!) Each time they bring a borrowed book to me when the service ends, I sigh. Then I put it into a clear bucket that’s for church stuff. It stays there all week(s). I think we’ve read maybe 5 of them, ever. I’m afraid the kids will lose them and I won’t know they have them. Every few weeks, I pop some change or a $5 bill in the late fine box, because even contained in a clear bin, we still return them late!
Sara R Galvan says
I know it has been a few years since you posted this but….I can relate in a very BIG way. We moved and in the move a very large bag of library books (6 children) got PACKED in a box!!! A box I did not find for nearly 6 months!!! At which point I was terrified to return them. When I finally did my fine was well over $19, (300+) and we have had many fines since then. I think that our family funds our local branch water bill at least once a year. Our library now allows some books on digital loan. Love those they return themselves!!!
Erica says
Oh boy ,oh boy is this me….. Well was me twice I had to pay for 3 big kids craft book each time around 30$ each book😵. So I started garage sale shopping book but about 2 yr ago this wonderful store opened here in town called and books too and there you bring in all your gently used books ( pretty well used) and she gives you a in-store book credit for about 50% of the original cover price on the book to use towards brand spanking new books or other rehomed books I had such a hoard of books when they opened I took in I’m still going on the credit and have yet to return anymore books but my husband just said yesterday that it was time to find a new home for my books before they start taking over every shelf in every room again 🙃
MeggieB says
I’ve paid literally hundreds of dollars in fines. Seriously.
I try to think of it as a donation to our lovely library….
Day says
I relate to this all too well! I once went to return a VERY overdue book to our local library, but not the usual branch we frequented, where the fines had a $10 ceiling. The fine was going to be astronomical! I had to ask for the book back to return it to our regular, more forgiving library. Embarrassing moment, to say the least. Multiple library cards did NOT happen in our family! I knew better than that!
Melissa says
You, of ALL people, should be the biggest fan of libraries! After all, it allows you to USE something without cluttering up your house with it permanently! Most libraries have a “renew twice” policy, and if your books are about to be due, you can renew them and bring them back when you can. Also, many libraries have a “forgive-the-fines” day at least once a year that lets you off the hook. I’m dismayed that you published something that will lead to others breathing a sigh of relief and saying Good! I don’t have to sign MY kids up for summer reading club either! The library is the soul of the community, and your children need to come there, you need to come there. You don’t know what you are missing.
Melissa says
By the way, all of you who are patting yourselves on the back for funding your library? In 90 percent of cities, the fine money goes into the general fund, and the library never sees it. The best way to support your local library is to GO there and USE it, so that your city council or mayor or whoever sees that the community values having a library.
Also, if you just can’t remember to return your books and movies, borrow e-books and e-audio and watch movies from the (usually free with a library card) movie database your library may own. They return themselves when your time is up, and you never incur a fine. Come into the 21st century with us!
Ellie says
I just paid $19 in fines on my library card. Not an earth-shattering amount, but more than we can really afford right now. The worst part is that I hadn’t even gotten around to reading a single one of those books before I returned them (late).
Elaine says
I put the date due in my calendar as soon as I get home. It’s the only thing that saves me. I am a retired librarian which really makes it embarrassing.
My library also sends email reminders, but that would mean I actually checked my email on a regular basis.
Ginger says
Update: many libraries are going “fine free” for this reason! Fines can be a barrier for library users, and they really don’t bring in that much money. So if you haven’t been to a library in a while, it’s worth checking to see if your library still charges late fees.
Lorie says
I have the Libby app and check out books digitally. They self return. I miss the library but the fines from lost books….yikes! Right there with you sister.
Lynsey says
I have it scheduled so that the same night we have to go passed the library twice once to get to ballet and once on the way home is when we get new books and return last weeks books, we also have a tote bag that they stay in right near the door so that ballet nights we know to grab it and go. Otherwise, I would always have a huge fines, because well, I suck at life most days lol.
Julie Allison says
Don’t be afraid of libraries because of fines ! Libraries want their books back. My library doesn’t charge overdue fines.
When libraries charge overdue fines, they realize that people decide to keep the books instead of paying the fine. Usually there is a limit on how high the fine can be—$5 to $10. But the cost of replacing a library edition of a book is steep.
Just return the books, please.
I get ebooks and audio books FREE from the library’s state library service. Most libraries are members.
However, if you check out DVDs and CD, and don’t return them, the replacement cost can be steep.
Terry says
I use my smartphone’s calendar to keep up with due dates. I put it on the calendar for the due date and set reminders every day for several days before hand.
I found you through Joscountryjunction dot com, she recommended your second book, I read and used it and am now going through your blog. Thank you for what you do!
Another Nony says
Hahaha! See I told you! I just commented on your other “please don’t read post”, and yup, I have 2 libraries in my old hometown that I probably shouldn’t step foot in because I owe them mountains of money (i know one of them IS $40 yikes). Then moved to a small town. We’re huge readers and library lovers and woops, missed one due date and suddenly racked up $25 in fines, freezing my account and just..ugh. Everyone knows my face here, and now I’m relegated to sneaking my checkouts onto my son’s card.
Sabriena says
I hesitate getting my kids their own cards because then there are more accounts, etc to keep track of. I have a two-book rule, though (for the kids… but I usually don’t get more than that either). I also rarely go to the library. I also found out you can get extended loans, so when I WAS going to the library, I started, when checking out, asking them to make the books due on the last day of the month. Using the library for several months this way made it SO MUCH easier to keep track of the due date! I still forgot sometimes, because… you know…
Anyway, I told my kids when they finished a certain learn-to-read spine book I have, that they could get their own library card. My second child recently met that requirement and got a card. The librarian impressed upon her to be SURE to remember to bring them back in two weeks! (You know, because I forgot…) She immediately turned to me and said “You’ll have to tell me what day, Mama!” After about 3 days, she started asking me every other day “When are the books due, Mama?” and “My library books aren’t overdue, are they?”
I had told my children every time I paid a fine (in their presence… if possible, I left them with Daddy on my library run, so they wouldn’t know it had happened… LOL), anyway, I told them that it was SUCH a bad thing to do. It was like a broken promise, almost a lie really, because I told them I’d give them back on a certain day, and then DIDN’T. I told them the fee was kinda like me making them stand in the corner when they are naughty. It makes me SO ashamed in front of my children when I do stupid stuff like this.
It has made a very big impression on my daughter, though, and she’s prepared to be responsible! (Hope it lasts)
Chris says
This brought back memories of when my daughters were young. We had a bunch of books and albums and I just kept putting off going and returning because I was embarrassed and the fine kept mounting. Finally I took my adult responsibility, gave my daughters money and sent them in while I waited in the car. Ha! When they came out it was about $9.00 but the worst was that they said the librarian hollered at them. Poor kids.
karen says
I have stopped borrowing books. buying them is cheaper. i fall in love with them and keep renewing them until i eventually just buy it. most times it is late returning (and I am married to a head librarian, lol). anyways, knowing i have a borrowed book somewhere in the house, is too much for my brain to handle & keep track of. It is such a shame because our local library is a lovely library and renewing is easy online. i might try again one day.
Lizzy says
I love the automation: I can make reservations and go in and out the library once I got a mail they’re in. Living on the emails of the library. Hating it when I want to keep the boon a little longer and someone else want to borrow it. To frugal to let it get a fine, so back in the line of reservations again 😅.
I read 70 books last year, so the library is definitely cheaper for me and I can containerize other stuff 😂.
Slobly says
Our library has a fee amnesty every December. If you bring in some non perishable food items they will wipe your overdue fees. Every December I have to find the six month old library books and a bunch of canned food and send my husband to the library to do the walk of shame lol
Julie says
Many public libraries don’t chRge fees for overdue books now. The libraries really, really want their books returned. Often when a person keeps a book for a long time, the person decides, “It will cost as much in fines , so I might as well keep the book.” However, libraries order special library editions of books, with protective covers. Many fines are limited to $5 for that reason. Keep your books together, renew the books online, go to the library frequently.
DVDs, CDs—- these have fines.
Elisabeth says
We have one of the best libraries in the nation in my hometown. I absolutely love it. They’ve gone fine-free now, although they charge the cost of the book if you don’t return it within a period of time (something like 28 weeks) and freeze your account if you owe more than $25.
But I’ve really come to love paperbackswap. It’s not as cheap as garage sales, but it lets me find a book (paperbacks, hardbacks, and even audio books) without having a date that I need to return it by. If I want to keep it, I can. But I don’t like the clutter of having too many books to fit on the shelves, so often I find that when I’m done I’d rather trade it in on the hope of picking out a different book at a later time. I love, love, love it–particularly since I’m such a fan of old, classic books that are often out-of-print.
When my in-laws died, we listed literally hundreds of books there. It was really special sharing a part of my father-in-law with somebody who would appreciate it. The kids just loved packing the books up and shipping them off, too.
The link below gives me a referral reward, but even before there were rewards I shared this because I believe so much in sharing books:
https://www.paperbackswap.com/spread_the_word.php?email=misterd8a&action=personalize
Katherine says
This was me just two weeks ago. Finally darkening the door of a library after avoiding them for two years – terrified about the fines for the children’s books that I had shoved into an after-hours box months after they were due. My daughters wanted to get books so we picked some out and I went to the checkout and tried to sound airy about clearing up any fines. The librarian scanned my card and said I didn’t owe anything as long as the books had been returned. I apparently had been shamefully avoiding the library for years FOR NO REASON!!
Thanks for reassuring me that I’m not alone.
Deirdre says
Public service message from a retired public librarian:
Honestly, librarians themselves HATE the shame surrounding late books and late fees; there are fees to give incentive to return things on time, but we hate that people don’t want to come in or to bring their kids because of it. Many libraries now have dropped overdue fines, at least for children’s books and often for adult books as well. CHECK WITH YOUR LIBRARY, it may ease your mind. You do have to pay for lost books, but in many public libraries there are no fines for overdue books.
Also, for the entire 30 years I was working at my library, we never refused a CHILD a card because the PARENT had fines. That might not be true everywhere, but you could always call, disguise your voice and ask.
And finally, you really judge yourself a lot harder than we judge you, I’ve paid lots of fines at lots of libraries where I DIDN’T work, and have had to pay for CDs I lost or books I spilled coffee on. We all do it.
Andrea says
I laughed out loud when the title to this blog popped up in my email.
I so know the feeling. I often say, “If I had back all the money I’ve paid in library fines and late movie rental charges, I could probably buy a small used car.” Auto prices being what they are, that might be an exaggeration, but when inflation is down, it’s almost certainly true.
Case in point: A few years ago my daughter, who LOVES the summer reading program at our local library, checked out some books during the last week of that particular program. Fast forward to after school had started. I come home one day to a message on my answering machine that my daughter has a number of overdue books. Naturally I assume the library is wrong because I’m certain we returned those before school started, BUT I search my whole house over looking for them in the event that I’m wrong. I do not find the books. They cannot possibly be in my house.
Fast forward some more months, I receive a bill for those same books I’m sure I returned in early August and for which have since thoroughly searched my house. I am sure I do not have those books. I throw away said bill. I the meantime, we don’t go to the library often during the school year, so my daughter never has a need to use her card that is surely not usable because of the charges.
Fast forward again to…oh…a few weeks before school lets out the following May. We are doing a deep, deep clean of my daughter’s bedroom. In the tight little corner between her dresser and her great big book shelf (BIG shelf for my little book lover) I move a few items leaning against the wall. I see a bag that came from the store where my husband likes to buy clothes. Why is this in my daughter’s room? I pick up said bag and look inside. What to my horrified eyes should appear, but all the missing library books that we’ve never returned and refused to pay for because we were sure we DID NOT have them. Oh the shame!
I would rather have died than go back to that library, but it was going to be time for Summer Reading to begin in a few weeks, and my daughter was surely going to want to check out books, and she surely wouldn’t be allowed to with these giant charges attached to her account. So I DID go into the library with the books in question. I explained that, I was certain I didn’t have the books, but I was wrong. I offered to pay either the fines – if they wanted to put the books back in circulation or the purchase price if they didn’t want that. Our community is very small, and our library is equally so. Our librarians are very sweet gracious ladies. They charged me the maximum fine on the books, put them back in circulation, and don’t hold it against me.
This summer I had 6 books on two cards overdue for about 15 days. I was sure I had returned one, and the rest I had simply forgotten about (again in the rush of school starting). When I finally got things squared away, it was the biggest fine I had ever paid.
My other shameful tale is when I rented a new release movie, which I almost never do because I almost always turn them in late. That movie sat on my cabinet for so many days, the late fee was $19.00. I’m sure I could have bought at Walmart for that.
I feel your pain