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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this note from nursery was a bit OTT?

60 replies

StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 19:38

We got a letter at the beginning of term saying that on Wednesdays children will be taken to the library to choose a library book, and that they will continue to be changed every Wednesday.

So every Wednesday I've put her library book in her book bag and she has come home with another, that we usually read once or twice at the weekend.

Over this weekend, we all suffered with the novovirus and no book reading occured. I suggested to dd that perhaps we keep the book another week, but she insisted that we read this morning and change it.

It was all a rush and we didn't have time, and it appears we couldn't locate the book either, so her dad took her without the book.

This evening, I have just looked in her bag and seen a note saying 'From our records, it appears that dd has not returned x book yet. Please return TOMORROW. A charge of £5 is made for each lost book'.

Now I don't expect the school to have to lose resources to disorganised parents, and I think it is right that they are replaced. But it was TODAY, so I was a bit upset about the 'yet'.

And also the mention of money on the day it is usually changed, particularly as I didn't know it was compulsory to change the book every week anyway (it wasn't when my ds went to nursery 2 years ago - you could keep the book for weeks if the child was interested/enjoying it). And no money was mentioned in the original letter, nor the fact that they expected it to be returned each week.

I'm pretty upset by the note tbh, so WIBU to tell the nursery teacher this, or is this usual behaviour from nurseries and I'm just being a bit U in thinking they are all like my ds' was!?

OP posts:
Sashapineapple · 13/02/2013 19:50

You are making a drama where there is none. Just a standard note probably, put it in her bag tomorrow. Done.

BuntyPenfold · 13/02/2013 19:51

No, they are mad.
We routinely lend books to any interested child, without keeping any written record.
And the town library overdue charges are nothing like that much.
Also, as you were all ill, they are way out of order.

Original poster
StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 19:53

To be fair they didn't know we were ill. But it really feels OTT and I feel unfairly ticked off.

OP posts:
DoctorAnge · 13/02/2013 19:53

It's just a generic note as I expect people have in the past taken books and not returned them.

Sorry but it's not exactly a huge deal.

Original poster
StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 19:54

It's not so generic though. It mentions my dd's name and the title of the book.

Pretty 'individual' really.

OP posts:
aldiwhore · 13/02/2013 19:54

We get a simple "No book in bag, please return or replace as soon as you are able, thanks"

Which is fair enough. This whole "we have noticed from our records that..." sounds to me like the administrator has just set up her own database she's proud of and forgotten the letters she writes are actually going out to real people.

leftangle · 13/02/2013 19:56

Way over the top. Why shouldn't you keep it for 2 weeks or more?

ReluctantMother · 13/02/2013 19:56

Has it been written or typed especially for your child? If not, it is generic.

BubblegumPie · 13/02/2013 19:57

Is it worth causing an argument with them? I agree that it is a bit ott to charge that much especially since you were ill, but I wouldn't want to cause any friction with my childcare provider unless I had to. It's silly bureaucracy but it won't hurt just to put up and shut up this once and move on. It could hurt to be 'that parent' though

ihearsounds · 13/02/2013 19:58

£5 for a lost book? Even the ones that are less than a fiver. Nice little earner they have.
Also aren't library books usually checked out for 2 or so weeks?

WipsGlitter · 13/02/2013 19:58

Mountain meet molehill.

Seriously, is this all you have to worry about? Do you think you are being victimised or that this is maybe a standard note, albeit personalised, that is sent out. They must get so sick of having to chase people for books it's easier to get it brought back ASAP.

Original poster
StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 20:00

I don't know if another child has ever received one. It is typed with a missing space to write in the child's name and the name of the book.

Honestly. I don't think they 'shouldn't' be keeping records, or asking for missing books to be returned, but it's not even overdue (not that I had any reason to believe there was a due date in the first place).

It's the 'yet' and the mention of a charge on the DAY they are changed that has upset me.

OP posts:
Original poster
StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 20:01

Wips Actually I have quite a bit to worry about. It doesn't mean I can't be upset by something like this.

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 13/02/2013 20:02

Jesus woman, toughen up!! I wouldn't give this a second thought.

Do you generally have a victim mentality?

BubblegumPie · 13/02/2013 20:02

have a Wine and forget about it

Original poster
StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 20:02

I guess you have a point bubble.

Although, the tone of the communication, without a prewarning that that is the protocol I think is what has upset me, and wouldn't that upset others?

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 13/02/2013 20:02

Well pick your battles then. This doesn't have to be one of them.

WipsGlitter · 13/02/2013 20:04

You must be familiar with they library system? Borrow a book, bring it back within a certain timeframe. Or get a fine. You know how libraries work, right?

What on earth do you want them to do.?

bbface · 13/02/2013 20:06

To start a thread on this is baffling! To be stewing on such an utterly banal happening is even more baffling.

BuntyPenfold · 13/02/2013 20:06

I wouldn't take too much notice tbh. I would return the book without comment, but yes, they are ott.

Some jobsworth somewhere, don't let it get to you.

Original poster
StarlightMcKenzie · 13/02/2013 20:08

Yes I am familiar with the library system outside of schools. I am also familiar with the library system within ds' school. I am not (or at least was not) familiar with the library system within dd's school which is a million miles away from the one in ds' school, despite being expected to use it (not asked for consent).

How can a book be overdue when no-one tells you when it is due?

OP posts:
Portofino · 13/02/2013 20:12

Well it would normally go back on a Wednesday - that is the clue. I think you need to get a grip - Sorry!

Cornycabernet · 13/02/2013 20:14

The more that I have to worry about, the more likely I am to be upset by something like this. I thought everyone was like that?

Star it is an unnecessarily abrupt note, but try to put it to the back of your mind.

SamSmalaidh · 13/02/2013 20:18

YABU

Books are returned on Wednesday. You didn't return the book. You got a (generic) note.

Now you know that they want the books returned - they are probably quick off the mark as they have lost books in the past and they find the quicker the reminder, the more likely the book is to come back.

BackforGood · 13/02/2013 20:19

Because you told us in the OP it was due....

We got a letter at the beginning of term saying that on Wednesdays children will be taken to the library to choose a library book, and that they will continue to be changed every Wednesday.

... the clue being ..."Be changed every Wednesday"

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