Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU in the public library?

195 replies

NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:21

I was using the computer in the local public library, I have a membership card.

A man came in and I overheard his conversation at the desk about needing to use a computer quickly to send some funds as his van had broken down, we're in a village so no banks. He wasn't from the area and didn't have a membership of the relevant documents for getting one (local household bill etc). He offered to pay just for 5 minutes use. He seemed pretty desperate. But the lady at the desk said that he couldn't as it's for members only.
They were both polite, but I could tell that the guy was frustrated. As I would be, stuck in a village and no wifi, needing to do something which would help his situation but was unable to do so.

So I called over and offered him to use my account for 5 minutes. He was very grateful, and still offered to pay. He sorted whatever he needed to do and then said thanks lots & left.

Then the lady came over to me and told me that I had breached to t&ts of becoming a member and that she would have to forefit my account!!

I now can't use my library because I did a nice thing!

WIBU to offer? i it that bad? Or was she being a jobs worth?

OP posts:
Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:22

*breached the t&cs about sharing accounts

OP posts:
OhDearToby · 16/05/2017 12:26

I'm failing to see why it was wrong.

You = nice
Librarian = meanie

OfficerVanHalen · 16/05/2017 12:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlossomCat · 16/05/2017 12:30

The librarian is a jobsworth. She could easily have turned a blind eye and let you carry on.

I'll bet that the chap is very grateful to you for helping him

sonjadog · 16/05/2017 12:30

I would take this further with whoever runs the library. What you did was normal, helpful behaviour. The librarian is being a jobsworth and needs to be told to use her brain.

harderandharder2breathe · 16/05/2017 12:30

It's a standard thing that you're not to let anyone else use your account. So technically she's right.

However, given the circumstances and that you were standing right there and the man had tried to do it correctly, I would expect most people to turn a blind eye

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 16/05/2017 12:31

What a friendly village. . Not.

Are libraries on trip advisor??!

Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:32

Yeah, I'll email the council. Thanks. It's annoyed me and has ruined me for ever wanting to do something nice for anyone again.

Don't think I could do a sad face paper complaint though!

OP posts:
MadamePomfrey · 16/05/2017 12:32

Librarian was being a complete jobsworth. I'm not a fan of public shaming but I would tweet/fb the council and challenge it (obviously not naming the librarian or anything)

Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:34

It honestly didn't occur to me that I'd be breaking the rules! my dh uses my account all the time without me there. He just has my number and password, I'd have thought this was very common, and librarians all over the country would know this is going on!

OP posts:
ViolentDelights · 16/05/2017 12:34

Why couldn't he just become a member of the library there and then? Then he could use the computer without breaching t&cs. The librarian should have offered him this option.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 16/05/2017 12:35

Total jobsworth. She sounds charming! NOT.

For heaven's sake, it's your decision, your account, your risk, it took 5 mins and she was there the whole time.

Yes, it's a 'rule' but surely a normal human being can see where there is a genuine need to turn a blind eye for 5 mins... anyway, you sound like a nice person. Maybe wait until someone else's shift and see if they can reinstate your account (or sign up again). Good luck!

smileyfacestar · 16/05/2017 12:35

She did it so there is a trail to follow if someone was to use the computer for the wrong reasons such as viewing inappropriate material/grooming or terrorism. I work in two libraries and these things have occurred in both.

grannytomine · 16/05/2017 12:35

Don't let the librarian stop you being nice. I am sure if you take your complaint higher it will get sorted.

Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:36

I've emailed the council explaining what's happened. Hopefully they'll sort it. I only use it for printing as I don't have one at home, but it's still annoying

OP posts:
Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 16/05/2017 12:37

Op will you be confessing to anyone irl that you are actually banned from a library?? Grin

BorpBorpBorp · 16/05/2017 12:37

He should be able to join the library without proof of a local address. I've joined remote libraries when I was on holiday and needed to print something.

RhiWrites · 16/05/2017 12:39

I think you were astoundingly rude.

The librarian clearly explained the rule about computer use. These are standard terms of service. You undercut her, you breached the TOS and if you had any question about whether you could let him use your account the librarian was RIGHT THERE and you could have asked.

I'm not surprised she was narked with you. How would you like it if you were doing your job and some busybody contradicted the rules you'd just clearly stated.

gleam · 16/05/2017 12:40

I wonder why she didn't warn you when you called him over?

Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:41

violent He didn't have relevant ID with him to sign up. Also, not sure if you need to be living within that county to become a member?

greenfinger I am considering going to nearest town in same county and resigning up in y maiden name.

Would you have taken my membership away smiley? Surely she could have let me off with a warning?

OP posts:
Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:43

Haha just I feel like such a rebel!

OP posts:
Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:45

Fair enough rhi

I wondered that too gleam, but maybe like rhi had said, I'd pissed her off and she struggle to say something there and then.

I didn't mean to undermine her, I had a computer, he needed a computer. I was just being helpful.

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 16/05/2017 12:47

Your photo will be on every library wall in the country.

Timeforabiscuit · 16/05/2017 12:48

Total jobsworth, might want to quote how library services are meant to be an accessible public service.

SapphireStrange · 16/05/2017 12:48

Bit of a jobsworth, but to be fair to her, we don't know what it's like to work there and maybe she'd have got it in the neck from a manager if they'd known.

Having said that, I think definitely write to them to get your membership back.

Swipe left for the next trending thread