Late library book - 28 *WEEKS* overdue! WWYD?

[oopslateagain]

DD (yr 9) has just found a school library book in her bookcase, it was due back just after the Christmas holidays and she had forgotten all about it. It had obviously been tidied up with some of her own books.

TBH if it were a few weeks late I would get her to sort it out, but I've figured out the overdue fine - at 5p per school day - as £7 and the book is only worth £4.99. The school has never sent any kind of reminder.

I have drafted a letter for DD to take to the librarian on Monday when she hands the book in, but it seems very long-winded and formal. I'm wondering if a short note would be better, but how to explain it all in a nutshell? I'm not contesting the late fees per se, but challenging the lack of reminders.

[oopslateagain]

The letter:
"I have just found a school library book in (DD's) bookcase; it has obviously been collected up with some of her books and put away in error. She did not remember the book as she borrowed it just before Christmas and it was due back in January, and so it has sat there for some months.

The book is now over 2 terms overdue; by my calculations, that is 28 weeks of ?term time? and at 5p a school day it would cost around £7 in late fees. That is more than the book is worth.

While I have no objection to the school charging late fees, I can?t understand why a system is not in place to remind students of late books. Surely it would not be beyond the scope of the library system to produce a list of overdue books at the end of each half-term and send a note out to those students?

I am happy for (DD) to pay a reasonable amount in late charges, but not an amount far in excess of the value of the book."

[SueNarmy]

just send the money
you are over stressing

[oopslateagain]

Sue I'm not sending £7 for a £4.99 book!

[JohnHemmingsPussy]

you signed up for the library - you knew the deal. make d pay
pay the fines and MOVE ON ALREADY

[GetOrfMo1Land]

She is in Year 9.

She is old enough to sort it herself - tell her to take the book to the librarian and say that she thought she had lost it.

They will probablu just be happy to have the book back. If they insist on the money being paid, you will just have to pay it, but I doubt they will ask, tbh.

No need to write a letter like that.

[oopslateagain]

Um... no I didn't sign up for the library, it is a school library. DD is automatically enrolled.

[TheFallenMadonna]

You sure she hasn't had a reminder?

[belledechocchipcookie]

Your child needs to send the fine in, not you. If she's going to take something back late then she needs to pay the fine, it's irrelevant how much the book is worth. You need to make sure she does the right thing; return the book and pay the fine.

[JohnHemmingsPussy]

you didnt opt out
you had a deal - borrow and thats it
pay the HUGE SUM of £3 extra - and tell dd she has to pay you

[JohnHemmingsPussy]

someone else probably wanted to read it, and she was hogging it

[GetOrfMo1Land]

If they do charge for the lateness, it is your dd's responsiblity. She forgot about the book. She should pay the fine out of her own money.

[oopslateagain]

Thanks GetOrf I thought the letter was a bit heavy handed. I had a bit of a bee in my bonnet because I think the school is a bit daft not to have some kind of reminder system.

[thisisyesterday]

i wouldn't send the note actually

get her to take the book in, and IF they ask for money (they don't always) then she can say that she dosn't have it right now... THEN you can speak to them./write a letter

i think that going in armed with a letter is more likely to just get their backs up tbh, whereas if she just says she is really sorry, it got tidied away etc etc then it might all be ok

they may even hav e a thing in place where fines don't exceed the cost of the book... so ask first

[Summersoon]

No way would I provoke an argument with the school over £7!

The school might well take the view that it is the responsibility of the students to return books on time, not the responsibility of the school to remind them. If reminders are sent (even assuming the school has the time to do this), it would only tend to encourage lateness.

If I were you, I would send in the money with a very brief note saying, for example, "With profuse apologies for returning this so late. Regards, [your name]" In no case would I say that you found the book - she did, right??

Your note is way too aggressive IMO and, depending on the school and the people involved, liable to be passed on to your DD's head of year for special attention.

[thisisyesterday]

if they do ask for the money then is the time to ask whether they send reminders etc etc

[GetOrfMo1Land]

They should do really - dd's school informs of late books via tutorial. She used to get lots of fines and come and ask me for 50p here and there. I started making her pay out of her dinner money. She manages to take the books back on time now, funnily enough

[WillieWaggledagger]

agree with thisisyesterday - play it by ear

[SoupDragon]

Just put it back on the library shelf.

[GetOrfMo1Land]

at soupdragon.

[DamselWithADulcimer]

Agree with GetOrf.

[oopslateagain]

love that idea soupdragon! Unfortunately I am far too honest...

[OvO]

Wont they have a maximum charge? My school was something like 10p a day up to £2, no matter how late it was. But please don't send that letter as it sounds awful!

[bushymcbush]

I doubt they'll charge you £7. They'll just be happy to get the book back.

Are you sure she hasn't had reminders through her form class and not told you?

Write a shorter, friendlier note of apology asking if she owes any late fees. If they then try to charge £7, you can offer the £4.99 it's actually worth.

[dizzyblonde]

I was clearing out DS1's room as he has gone off to uni and found a book from his first school library. I reckon it's about 10 years overdue and no I'm not going to return it.

[oopslateagain]

dizzyblonde I really think you should. Imagine their faces!