Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Library Love

4 years ago, I racked up a $60 library fine. On magazines. They were all returned, in one piece, yet the $60 fine remained. My card expired, and ever since I have been too scared to go back and try and fight my fine. Well, today I mustered up enough courage and went to the library for the first time in 4 years. I pleaded my case to the lady behind the counter, explaining to her my mix-up about how long I could keep an item, but I was willing to to pay some of the fine, but don't you think $60 is a little much, especially since they were all returned? She then told me she would have to talk to someone else about lowering my fine. Well, just then the library director walks by and hears our conversation. I fill him in on what's happening, and admit to him that I've been scared to come back, and he suggests that I pay $10 and call it good, after all, "we want you to enjoy the library!" I was SO grateful and kept thanking them over and over again. What a relief! It was like Christmas. I had to pay $3 to get a new card, thinking I had thrown my old one away. After the transaction was complete, what did I find in my wallet? Yup. My old card. Sigh. Oh well, $13 is better than $60 any day!

So I happily browsed for a few minutes until Summer started crying. Some old lady came over to see her, and told me she hoped her crying would wake up her husband who was sleeping in Periodicals. I picked up a few books and I'm back to being a happy library patron once again!

5 comments:

vanessa said...

I waited for a book on hold at the library for a month after it came out just so I didn't have to buy it. My baby tears two pages cleanly out and I got a $25 fine for that. I called to complain, especially since I knew I could get the book at Walmart for $15 and they graciously lowered the fine to a $5 repair fee. Much better but really? $5 for a piece of tape? These libraries gotta make money some way I guess.

DeAnn said...

You can sign up for email alerts for when your books are due. Great story. Happy reading.

Emmy said...

I would have been afraid to go to :) Glad they worked with you.
The library I used to go to had a max as to how much they would fine you for late books, I think it was about $25. Sounds like your library must be making a killing.

Lara said...

Oh, I have library fines in about four states...

:-D

Yours, Mine, &, Crazy Daisy said...

I knew you could do! Way to go!