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Original poster

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

36 replies

oopslateagain · 30/09/2011 18:20

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.

OP posts:
GetOrfMo1Land · 30/09/2011 18:27

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.

JohnHemmingsPussy · 30/09/2011 18:27

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

JohnHemmingsPussy · 30/09/2011 18:27

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

belledechocchipcookie · 30/09/2011 18:26

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.

TheFallenMadonna · 30/09/2011 18:26

You sure she hasn't had a reminder?

Original poster
oopslateagain · 30/09/2011 18:26

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

OP posts:
GetOrfMo1Land · 30/09/2011 18:26

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.

JohnHemmingsPussy · 30/09/2011 18:25

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

Original poster
oopslateagain · 30/09/2011 18:24

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

OP posts:
SueNarmy · 30/09/2011 18:22

just send the money
you are over stressing

Original poster
oopslateagain · 30/09/2011 18:21

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."

OP posts: