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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's selfish to not return your library books on time?

148 replies

floatinglily · 21/08/2019 10:30

I've got a reserve on a library book I'm desperate to read. The previous person is now a week overdue. AIBU to think this is selfish? If you can't return your book on time that you have borrowed for free from a public library you shouldn't have taken it in the first place. If you can't read a book in 3 weeks and are relying on being able to renew it you should blinking well buy it or just accept you'll have to finish it when it becomes available again.

OP posts:
MakeItRain · 21/08/2019 10:34

I think it's laziness! I always used to have this terribly lazy block about taking library books back (years ago in the days I used to borrow them). You'll be glad to know I no longer borrow them and buy them these days! Hope your books turns up soon and I'm sorry now if my own laziness ever meant some other poor person was kept waiting.

colourlessgreenidea · 21/08/2019 10:34

Yeah, the bastards should be shot! Hmm

Lamentations · 21/08/2019 10:35

Call 101!

EmpressJewel · 21/08/2019 10:38

Whilst you are correct and it if frustrating, sometimes there are legitimate reasons as so why people can't return books eg I'll health.

If you reserve a book from the library, you either have to accept that there may be a delay or source the book elsewhere.

Some people are happy to pay library fines!!!

QuestionableMouse · 21/08/2019 10:38

My mam had overdue library books. She's been in and out of hospital for the last two months and the got forgotten about.

If you're that desperate to read the book then buy your own copy...

whattodowith · 21/08/2019 10:39

@Lamentations Grin

I love the library. I’m an English teacher so reading is one of my top priorities and we visit the library once a month. Even I have had the odd occasion where I have forgotten to return a book on time.

It’s called being human.

Userzzzzz · 21/08/2019 10:39

Depends. The fine isn’t really that high so it’s often worth it to keep something for an extra week. I remember at uni, there were books you could only take out for an hour or two and the fine was really high to stop people taking the piss. For a lot of the general books, it was often tactical to take things early and try and keep renewing them. There was a bit of a dog eat dog cycle of selfishness. If you didn’t join in, you’d be screwed.

whattodowith · 21/08/2019 10:41

Library fines are ridiculously low so I don’t think anyone really cares about them tbh. It’s about 20p a day at my local library anyway so the most I’ve owed them was a quid.

CacenCrunch · 21/08/2019 10:43

Your overreacting. If your that desperate to read it buy your own

PuffHuffle5 · 21/08/2019 10:44

If you can't read a book in 3 weeks and are relying on being able to renew it you should blinking well buy it

I always do this - I have a one year old, gone are the days where I can read a whole book in three weeks Grin but I’ve always returned when requested, you’re right it is a bit frustrating. But then similarly if you’re so desperate to read it maybe you should buy it too...

Boom45 · 21/08/2019 10:48

It's low level selfishness and laziness, but people lead busy lives. I've been guilty of not returning library books but I've got 2 kids, work full time in a busy job that takes me all over the place and I've elderly relatives I help out when they need it. Reading is my escape so I love the library.
There are bigger problems in the world than waiting a couple of weeks for a free book, even one you're desperate to read. Think of it as extended anticipation....

IhateBoswell · 21/08/2019 10:49

I think you need to calm down a little. It's only a week, and you don't know what's gone in their lives that week, they may not actually be lounging reading the book at a Sloth's pace.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 21/08/2019 10:51

Misses point of thread but what book is it?

Azeema · 21/08/2019 10:53

Ah, I read slowly and often keep books longer. But I pay daily fee to keep longer if cannot renew because of wait list. How is it selfish if I am paying to keep extra days? Using library means patience. I have book right now that I reserved over a year ago! If you not patient, maybe buy book then donate to library?

Yabbers · 21/08/2019 11:02

I’m really bad at returning books, mainly because I struggle to find time when they are open, being a f/t working parent, with DD’s stuff to do on a Saturday. For that reason, we just don’t go often. Whenever I’m late though, they get a tenner for the fines, more than they actually charge, because I feel so guilty about it. So at least they can buy in a couple more books!

TrumpetyChump · 21/08/2019 11:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Candymay · 21/08/2019 11:31

I can’t believe a librarian just used the f word. I’m going to have to sit down for a few minutes.

Picklypickles · 21/08/2019 11:34

I've been a few weeks late returning library books before because I've been in hospital very poorly, it wasn't intentional!

JacquesHammer · 21/08/2019 11:36

If you can't read a book in 3 weeks and are relying on being able to renew it you should blinking well buy it or just accept you'll have to finish it when it becomes available again

Alternatively if you’re that desperate to read a book, maybe you should blinking well buy it yourself or accept you get your turn when it’s finished with...?

Michaelbaubles · 21/08/2019 11:36

The people paying late fees are donating extra funds to the library - you should be thanking them!

Vesperia · 21/08/2019 11:38

why don't you just buy it OP?

momomia · 21/08/2019 11:39

to everyone saying 'Just buy the book' - must be nice to live in a world where you can just do that and don't have to rely on free libraries

DisplayPurposesOnly · 21/08/2019 11:39

I love that ebooks from the library 'return themselves'.

I was hopeless going to the library when I moved towns - my office was one end of town, the library was at the other - so often late returning books. (And we've moved offices since, so I'm even further away.)

I still find it exciting that I can borrow library books without leaving the sofa. I do miss browsing in the library though, having been an avid library-goer since school days.

RosaWaiting · 21/08/2019 11:39

I think that’s harsh
I use the library but occasionally if I’m ill or doing unexpected overtime, a book might be late.

I always return early if I can, especially when I know there’s a waiting list.

Apolloanddaphne · 21/08/2019 11:40

My 91yo FIL who has mobility issues and is in a home, does nothing but read. My DH takes him to the library on a weekend when he is able, return books and get new ones.

However sometimes life gets in the way (work, holidays, other family issues) and he cannot get him in when it is open and the books go overdue.

We cannot afford to buy him the many books he goes through weekly, although my DD1 who works for a publisher does her very best to send him suitable books for nothing.

Just have a bit of patience OP.