Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

School Library Fine

24 replies

Rallacks · 04/04/2025 13:36

Hi. My DD has unbeknownst to us had three library books for longer than she should have and we have just received a fine for £50! That's a lot of money to us and I am reeling as there's no way I wouldn't have reminded her to take them back had I known.

Do we have a leg to stand on? If we grovel, do you think we can get out of it? She's 16.

TIA

OP posts:
SwanOfThoseThings · 04/04/2025 13:43

Have you been provided with terms and conditions for the library use?

MoreChocPls · 04/04/2025 13:45

She’s too young to sign a contract so that could be a get out. Also, common sense would make you think that this will be escalated to parents at some stage before asking for 50 quid.

InSpainTheRain · 04/04/2025 13:45

Get her to go to the school library and apologise to try and get a reduction. Otherwise she pays it, loan her the money if necessary- forgetting stuff has to have consequences otherwise she will continue to forget stuff. Tough love!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
mummyh2016 · 04/04/2025 13:46

How much are the books worth? It might be cheaper to say they’re lost and pay for replacements!

Guineapiglet2 · 04/04/2025 13:46

That's madness! Why didnt they just ask her for them and write home ? Or did they?

pearbottomjeans · 04/04/2025 13:48

£50 for the first you’ve heard of it is ridiculous! A parking fine out in the real world is only £25.

Hadalifeonce · 04/04/2025 13:51

I think we used to have to pay the replacement cost of books not returned. So, the £50 could well be that.

Mielikki · 04/04/2025 13:55

I’ve never heard of a school library issuing fines. Considering public libraries don’t fine children for late returns it’s outrageous that a school would.

Needmorelego · 04/04/2025 13:58

That sounds more like the cost to replace the books rather than a fine.
Has she got the books?

Thebloodynine · 04/04/2025 13:59

Do you have to agree to any terms of use at the start of the year? We need to give permission for our kids to borrow from the school library and sign the form agreeing to fees/replacement costs etc.

AlohaRose · 04/04/2025 14:04

Fifty pounds! When were they due back - ten years ago?! Have they been returned now - or are the school actually charging the full cost of replacement books as they are assuming the books are lost?

Original poster
Rallacks · 04/04/2025 14:08

Thebloodynine · 04/04/2025 13:59

Do you have to agree to any terms of use at the start of the year? We need to give permission for our kids to borrow from the school library and sign the form agreeing to fees/replacement costs etc.

No recollection of agreeing to anything like that when she started sixth form and we certainly haven't been asked ourselves or signed anything when she has borrowed books on the actually occasion.

It is three books. We didn't receive anything when she took them out and she says she didn't have to sign anything either.

OP posts:
Thebloodynine · 04/04/2025 14:10

Why didn’t she return them? Does she still have them?

Original poster
Rallacks · 04/04/2025 14:21

Simply forgot. They were under her bed. I have them here in front of me now 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Rallacks · 04/04/2025 14:22

AlohaRose · 04/04/2025 14:04

Fifty pounds! When were they due back - ten years ago?! Have they been returned now - or are the school actually charging the full cost of replacement books as they are assuming the books are lost?

Certainly not lost, they were safe under her bl**dy bed!

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 04/04/2025 14:25

Are you sure they don't think the books are lost and so they're asking to replace them?

Thebloodynine · 04/04/2025 14:26

Rallacks · 04/04/2025 14:22

Certainly not lost, they were safe under her bl**dy bed!

Show quote history

But they don’t know they. And they will have asked her for them to be returned. She didn’t. All they can do is replace the books and charge you the cost .

LumpyandBumps · 04/04/2025 14:26

Just return the books ASAP.
I suspect any mention of a fine is to get you to do just that.
I am in favour of asking for compensation for lost books, etc as there is an actual cost to the school for purchasing replacements, but once the books are returned this should resolve the situation.
If they persist with the fine I assume that they have the option of taking you to court, which seems extremely unlikely.

Annascaul · 04/04/2025 14:27

purpleme12 · 04/04/2025 14:25

Are you sure they don't think the books are lost and so they're asking to replace them?

This’ll be it.
Just give the bloody things back 🙄

Original poster
Rallacks · 04/04/2025 14:29

Certainly will be taking them back first thing Monday 🤬

OP posts:
Original poster
Rallacks · 04/04/2025 14:32

Annascaul · 04/04/2025 14:27

This’ll be it.
Just give the bloody things back 🙄

Show quote history

I really hope so 😞

OP posts:
theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 04/04/2025 14:33

Drop the book off and leave, they won't chase you for a £50 fine because they have the book back

AlohaRose · 04/04/2025 14:56

So how overdue are they?

MissRoseDurward · 04/04/2025 15:06

Is she sure she hasn't had reminders by e-mail or whatever messaging platform her school uses?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page