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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:
TheScottishPlay · 16/05/2017 12:51

I'd have done the same as the librarian. You were rude and flouted rules she has to abide by.

Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:53

Haha iggi I'd be feared by the many pensioners in the area!

Yeah I wonder time if libraries should have a couple of pay as you go computers for such situations?

OP posts:
ShotsFired · 16/05/2017 12:54

I walked in of the street to a library in Sydney Australia to see if I could use their intenet.

Me telling the nice lady at the desk that I was a member of my own library back here in the UK was good enough for her.

Total jobsworth who sounds like she was waiting for you to break her rules so she could get her own back; when it would have been nothing to let the guy sort his life out.

Original poster
NatureIsAWhore · 16/05/2017 12:55

Yeah, see I can see it from her pov, but I didn't actually think that my membership would be revoked! A slap on the wrist maybe?

OP posts:
AristotlesTrousers · 16/05/2017 12:55

Crikey, YANBU OP. I worked in libraries for years and would never have dreamt of taking somebody's library card away for something like that. Even if it's policy, there's such a thing as discretion. I'd email or phone the head office to explain what happened - I'm sure they'll overturn it. I'm sure they can't just ban you without warning - not for something like that, anyway.

Verbena37 · 16/05/2017 12:55

Oh for goodness sake.
Let's hope the meany pants librarian never breaks down in the middle of nowhere with no signal.....or that her kids don't!
What a dragon.

Plus, we were allowed to keep our membership of our town library, move away for two years, use the other county's membership card, then move back to home town and continue to use the original cards so doubting she had to be so horrible.

I wonder if her boss was there so she thought she had better play by the official rules?

I wonder OP, if you had merely asked to do it for him, rather than just letting him sit at and use your computer, if she would have been different. All the same, I'm hoping on your behalf, that either her car breaks down in rural-ville, that her cooker stops working tonight as she turns it on to cook tea or that she forgets to puts her bins out this week and has to make an extra journey to the tip!
And I hope nobody helps her!!

PickAChew · 16/05/2017 12:56

Is there no mobile signal in your village?

TuttiFrutti · 16/05/2017 12:58

I think YABU.

The librarian was just doing her job, and might have got disciplined by her manager if she'd let you break the rules. I think you were quite rude by undermining her.

Also, I would never let a stranger use my internet access - for what? Quickly transferring funds, he said, but what if it was to access a dodgy website which is then linked to you? If his van had broken down, why wasn't he phoning the AA?

EduCated · 16/05/2017 12:59

They need to know who is using a computer, hence not allowing others to use your account. I think that is fair. What if it turned out he was using the PCs for fraudulent transactions, and using library PCs not logged in in his name to cover it? (Not suggesting he was, just that's the logic!)

I agree with Rhi that you undermined her and don't blame her for being annoyed. However I probably would have warned you and intervened before he could use your PC, not ban you afterwards.

Badbadbunny · 16/05/2017 13:00

Libraries are a public service - funded by the public - the librarian was being an arse and needs to be taken to account for being so bleeding unhelpful. Far too much "jobsworth" in the public sector. They need to remember why they exist in the first place.

There's absolutely no harm done here - the OP remained present. Sounds like the librarian just took umbrage because she was over-ridden and it has spoilt her power trip.

I've let complete strangers use my phone and computer when they've been in need. It's what decent human beings do!

If and when the library is facing closure/cut backs, I'm sure the librarian will expect public support for her to save her job - if that's typical of her behaviour, she may be surprised how little support she gets!

EduCated · 16/05/2017 13:01

Even if the librarian has been a bit of a jobsworth, do we really need to wish ill on her for it?

Talk about an overreaction Hmm

29Palms · 16/05/2017 13:02

I was banned from a library.

I returned a book without its jacket. The jacket was loose so I had been taking it off the book while reading it, and our puppy had got hold of it and chewed it up. He didn't get near the book, only the jacket.

After returning the book with suitable apologies, I got a letter demanding that I pay for a new copy of the book "because it cannot be lent out without a jacket". I refused as there were plenty of books without jackets in the library.

Then they claimed that the book had been "badly chewed". That was just a lie.
I joined the library in the next county which is much better, and have never looked back.

WimbledonMum1 · 16/05/2017 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cantusethatname · 16/05/2017 13:03

What if during those few minutes he was logged on as you he has downloaded illegal pornography?

What if, during those few minutes he was logged on as you, he downloaded malware which took over all IT systems in your county council and others?

BringMeTea · 16/05/2017 13:03

YANBU. Pas de tout.

WimbledonMum1 · 16/05/2017 13:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlpacaPicnic · 16/05/2017 13:04

As a librarian I am astounded that they don't have a provision for 'visitors' to the area - we do, it's a charge of £1 for 15 minutes and we include two sheets of printing if you need it. We are also rural.

I think you did a very kind thing, I think the librarian was frustrated that you 'undermined' her and it would have been better if you'd asked 'is it ok if I let the man use my computer for 5 minutes?, I'm happy for him to do so' but you should not be banned for this! We haven't been able to ban members of the public for assualting staff members, let alone computer misuse (apart from accessing pornography and abuse images)

Birdsgottaf1y · 16/05/2017 13:05

She's probably following her guidelines.

My local library and others close by let you log on as a guest, without I.D.

Email the council, they'll possibly restore your membership, after a period of suspension.

AlpacaPicnic · 16/05/2017 13:05

Books aren't in ISBN order in public libraries - it's Dewey you fool!

AlpacaPicnic · 16/05/2017 13:06
RB68 · 16/05/2017 13:07

thought they were a public service - my my its just for us locals...its like something of one of those random channels on TV where you are not allowed to leave or something

Badbadbunny · 16/05/2017 13:10

Surely, given the so-called harsh spending cuts, libraries should be open to new revenue sources, and should be "internet cafes" where people can freely pop in and pay to use computers and the internet. It sounds very counter-intuitive to turn away potential paying customers. You can tell they're used to relying on public money and grants and have no commercial acumen if they have policies like that.

froyotogo · 16/05/2017 13:11

you undermined her. you knew you were doing it.

I suppose the rules are there to try to prevent illegal activity and if that illegal activity happens they have a starting point to trace the bandit.

Think in future.

JudeeLevinson · 16/05/2017 13:11

You are the unreasonable one. She was doing her job and in my library you need a library account number to access the wifi. With PC's you can log on as a guest with just a bank card or passport (no proof of address). But not the wifi. What was the librarian supposed to do? Oh, that's right, her job. Shame you didn't fact check before complaining about her to her boss.

I expect you will be told again by senior library management that you have breached library T&C's and I hope you are.

HeyRoly · 16/05/2017 13:12

As a librarian myself, I expect dozens of people every single week come into that library and expect free computer access.

You know that phrase "give an inch, take a mile"? That happens a lot.

And besides, you can't bend the rules for one person (even if they have a good reason to need PC access) and not everyone else who comes in and asks to use a PC. And then all the PCs will be completely occupied by non-members and members would be up in arms about it Grin

So, the librarian wasn't a meanie or a jobsworth, just following policy. And if you don't have policy you have what? Total anarchy Wink