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Original poster

My library shame. How do I fix it?

45 replies

whocanbebothered · 21/08/2019 14:03

Inspired by the thread just now on AIBU re. CF'ers who don't return their library books on time

Years ago (memory is a fog for that time period, so somewhere in the region of 5-8 years ago), I used to visit the library often. As did my 2x DC. I was in a horrible marriage and after one particular episode I packed a couple of black bags and left. I left all the library books that myself and my kids had borrowed in that home and obviously it was the least of my worries at that time so never put much thouht into it until maybe the last 6 months. Now that the kids are older and on summer hols, they would love to spend some time at the library. I also very much miss visiting the library. I adore books and can spend literally hours choosing my books.

Anyways, is it possible for me to somehow become a member of the library again? I'm sure if I give them my name & DOB it will flag up on their system with screaming red alarms that I owe £90,000 on fines (I know it won't be that much but I do imagine it will be at least £30+ in fines which I can't afford to pay). I don't want to go into a big [slightly embarrassing as I don't want to air my dirty laundry] sob story to them about why I effectively stole their books as I can imagine they 1) don't care b) May not even believe it anyways.

Does anyone know the best way to proceed on this?

OP posts:

Jux · 21/08/2019 15:42

Our local library listed me as having not returned one of dd's borrowed books, and gave me a fine which kept going up. I didn't have the book. I had returned it. I had looked everywhere and we had not got it. They charged me the cost of a replacement, about £15 as it was hardback.

Some years later, when we were moving, I found it!

I think they'll just charge you the cost of replacing the books, and then welcome you back with open arms.

Herocomplex · 21/08/2019 15:50

Oh Jux! So irritating!
Just for general info, If the library say you haven’t returned a book they don’t just rely on their system they do actually manually search. It’s called shelf checking, and one of the reasons librarians are so important.
Also books get returned from all sorts of places, often by strangers who find them.

Herocomplex · 21/08/2019 15:51

I mean for you Jux, not the lib! Books go missing all the time!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's books Culture

KurriKurri · 21/08/2019 16:07

I think most libraries have an upper cap on fines above a certain amount - because they don't want to put you off returning the books.
I've had fines waved in the past (when illness prevented me getting into the library) they are generally pretty understanding.
And libraries need customers to keep them open - so they don't want to discourage people.
Just go along and give a brief explanation, I'm sure they will be understanding and helpful.

Mythreefavouritethings · 21/08/2019 16:10

Didn’t they have an amnesty on library books some time ago? I’m sure they did and that after this, retrospective fines would be capped. Think it was Manchester and then rolled out elsewhere.

RunningKatie · 21/08/2019 16:24

Our libraries don't fine for children's books, just as well as I also have lost two putting them somewhere safe. I suspect like a pp I donated them to a charity shop by accident.
I also lost all our cards once, had to pay for new cards but that was £2 for me.

Crinkle77 · 21/08/2019 19:54

*Our local library listed me as having not returned one of dd's borrowed books, and gave me a fine which kept going up. I didn't have the book. I had returned it. I had looked everywhere and we had not got it. They charged me the cost of a replacement, about £15 as it was hardback.

Some years later, when we were moving, I found it!*

I work in a university library and this happens all the time. People insist and insist they have have returned them. If we stick to our guns they usually end up finding them under the bad or at the bottom of a box after a house move.

Jux · 23/08/2019 00:25

When my parents downsized from the family home into a smallish flat they found quite a few children's library books, which my brothers and I had somehow managed not to return when we were wee.

He took them along about 25 years too late. He survived, so I'm positive you will too!

Hero, foully and horribly embarrassing more like ? It was all the same Librarians as those I had sworn blind on my mother's grave and my father's womb (or something) that I had returned the book and shouldn't be fined at all! Yes, they remembered me (because I wept, and had to go to dh and almost beg for the money as I had none), and there I was actually returning the not-actually-returned book

LatteLove · 23/08/2019 00:28

I lost some books moving house and avoided the library for years! Plucked up the courage to rejoin a few years ago and they had no record of me so it was fine.

matahairyy · 23/08/2019 00:33

I’ve sentenced for not returned books. Huge fines

MummytoCSJH · 23/08/2019 00:42

Ooh I've been thinking about this recently. I had brain surgery at very short notice at the beginning of last year - suffered some memory loss - have moved recently and found said books that were meant to be returned around the same time. Had no clue I even had any! It's 30p per day here and no cap on fees. It's a shame because my 5yo loved the library but I can't afford to pay the fine for over a year and a half so we can't go back (tiny local library so they would know us).

Chivers53 · 23/08/2019 00:47

There's a limit to fines per book usually, it's been a while but it used to be £8 or so for adult books here. I guess the idea was that there came a point you had effectively paid it off, and if it kept going up people would never return them. After a few years the fines are written off as well, and even if not, go in and explain. They want people to use the library, and if waiving the fine as you have a valid reason means you and your children will engage with them again I would be surprised if they didnt.

Chivers53 · 23/08/2019 00:48

@MummytoCSJH please go in and explain, the fines have a purpose but they shouldn't be putting you and your little one off using the library, see what they say :) If they will charge you (unlikely I'd say) they won't keep you in or something if you can't, so you haven't lost out.

Passthecherrycoke · 23/08/2019 00:49

Just open accounts in the children’s name instead?

ChangeItChild · 23/08/2019 00:49

I work in a library and this happens very often, people come in and fess up usually we would write the books off the ticket and probably half the fine (or agree on a reasonable amount) and reinstate your account.

Our borrowers are the most important thing to us, it would be very sad to lose you as a library user.

Secondly getting books back is important too (although impossible in this case obviously) but in other cases we'd rather have the books back and waive the fine on them.

We do value honesty, we're usually less understanding with someone who lies about having an account before - especially with books and fines outstanding. Our library system would flag up your previous account.

I'd just go in and be honest if I were you.

But if you really HAVE TO lie your name and DOB would have to be slightly different from your original account, in order to not be recognised by the system.

IamWaggingBrenda · 23/08/2019 01:24

I work in a library. Go in and talk to them, explain the situation, and they may well forgive any fines. Typically, books hit a point where they are so overdue they are assumed to be lost, and you’d be charged the cost of replacement, plus a processing fee. HOWEVER, we understand there are sometimes mitigating circumstances and I’d also like to say don’t feel embarrassed, you’d be amazed at what we hear, and we are sworn to protect your privacy. We want you to use the library, so we will often bend over backwards to make it possible!

Original poster

whocanbebothered · 23/08/2019 15:49

I can happily report that after filling in the online form, I went along to the library last night with the kids. We have now all been issued with library cards and I borrowed a book - which I will return

No mention was made of any previous memberships or lost books so I assume I was wiped from their system either with GDPR or when they got fed up of me.

OP posts:

MummytoCSJH · 23/08/2019 15:52

Thanks everyone (I know this wasn't my thread but I've also had some good advice). Glad it's worked out for you OP, I'm going to go in on Monday and see if there's anything they can do to help. I will take the books so that even if they can't waive the fee, it will stop going up and they have them back - maybe I can speak to somebody at the council services who could help if the staff at the library can't do it.

Hecateh · 23/08/2019 16:14

I suspect data protection means they have to get rid of records over a certain age although for something like this I'm not sure how long that is.

cakeandchampagne · 27/08/2019 16:26

@MummytoCSJH Did you resolve your library problem?

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