I have a problem. And the first step to solving any problem is to recognize that you have one.
I dragged myself to the library the other day and was completely upfront.
“I’m having a problem with overdue books.”
It would be one thing if my problem were simply getting the books to the library on time. Thing is, you can’t return what you can’t find.
This time it was two lost books, in addition to several children’s books I had to dig out of the nether regions of my home I was too lazy to return. I really thought I had returned these two books already. But another thing is, I’ve thought that before… Only to find them later. So I really cannot say with confidence, “I am really sure I returned these two specific titles from the 50 or so books that I return every other week or so.”
But the librarian performed her librarian duties and checked the shelves to make sure they weren’t there, just in case. Then she very kindly renewed them for me so fines wouldn’t continue to accrue while I look for them. Although one of them had already accrued the maximum fine…
I left the library $17.80 poorer. I have since found one of the books. The other one is out there, somewhere… mocking me. The only thing worse than having to buy a book you can borrow from the library for free, is to buy a book you don’t even have.
We’re taking a moratorium on public libraries for now. I’m going to stick with the base library until I can get my act together. It’s not as convenient, its selection is not as good, and their technology hasn’t yet reached the internet. But – they charge no fines!
They do, however, send a letter to your husband’s commander when you have a book overdue for more than a couple-few weeks, telling him that one of his airmen has a naughty wife. Not that I would know this!
They also don’t like to let you check out any more books if you have some due that you haven’t yet returned. Which I apparently had the last time I went. The librarian very kindly renewed them for me on her computer and let me check out my newest stack of books anyway.
I really gotta get my mojo together before they all figure me out. I’m running out of libraries.
Come on, fess-up time. What’s the most you’ve paid in library fines?
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The Ramsey recommended book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" apparently was a favorite of one of the pups. Yeah they ate. Not all but enough to require we pay ~$18.00 to replace it. We haven't yet. They just keep renewing it when we go in. Bad I know but we will put that in our budget and get it paid. Soon.
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I just found your blog through Short On Cents. I had to laugh because I so recognize my self in this post. Man on Man. Well let it be known that our library has this "thing" every January where they forgive your dues of the pst year and wipe the slate clean. I have by October not gone to the library until January because I just can't face the fines! Great Post!
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I thought I had taken my WHOLE stack back and found one two weeks and $4.25 later. I have bought books on Amazon for cheaper than that!
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I used to have a good system worked out, and I really don't know what happened to it. Unfortunately, the problem seems to be with MY books more than the kids'. Hmm…
I had a fine once for kids' DVDs that charged $1 late fee/day. We haven't checked out DVDs again for quite some time…
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My biggest fine: $120. It actually might have been a little more. And guess what? It was only for one or two books- they were on the 12 hour checkout at my school's library which comes with a 1$ per hour late fee. It was not a good day!
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I, too, always figured my fines went to a good cause – but I still didn't like returning overdue books. And one time they did find the book on their shelf that they had kept dinging me about. That was before we got a new librarian.
I solved my problem (mostly anyway) by having a specific place for just library books. As Carmen has already suggested. It takes a little more time, when you have kids, to get everyone trained, but it's totally worth the effort.
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Try having one basket in your home designated as the library book basket….I don't know…perhaps you already do that.
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You'll also get a custom header, custom background, and whatever else I said on the post. Can't remember, lol!
BTW, if you don't win, I will give you a link that will tell you how to make your own button. It's easy. Just remind me if I forget.
My button is on the top left sidebar. Just be sure and leave a comment when you add it so that it counts as an entry.
I am going to delete the last comment as it was a question and not actually an entry, hope you don't mind!
)
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Cool.
Anyone reading, go to Moms The Word (above) and enter for a free blog makeover.
Or don't — which gives me that more of a chance to win!
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Yes, it includes a button. Also, a signature (like what I have on the bottom of my posts). Also two or three columns if you want, and the little labels on my sidebar that say things like "Buttons" or "Pictures" or things like that.
Basicially, it's the same package that I have. So whatever I have you could have too, if you wanted. Only, it would be your own blog design.
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ohhh, can not check books out from the Library any more, or rent movies for that fact, I am sooo bad about returning them
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Oh Jolyn, I am soooo with you right now!
I like to look at it as supporting the local library. Unfortunately, my hubby prefers our money go somewhere other than in library fines, lol!
I don't really know the biggest fine I've ever paid. But it was at least $10, I guarantee it. Maybe even closer to $20 if you count in the kids' fines.
I was at the library once and a school teacher came in. She had left all her library books at the school for over the summer and totally forgot about them.
She had checked out tons of books and said that her fines were over $100. Wow.
BTW, I am having a free blog makeover giveaway. Just thought I'd mention it in case you're interested!
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