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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:
cookiechomper · 21/08/2019 13:24

Returning a library book is never going to be a priority for anyone who leads a busy life. Just buy the book if you want to read it that much.

Swisskit · 21/08/2019 13:24

I work in a library and most of the staff have overdue books. It's ridiculous as they're here every day!

LatteLove · 21/08/2019 13:25

What if the person is still learning English/to read properly so read quite slowly?

People really will dream up all sorts of unlikely scenarios on here!

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 21/08/2019 13:27

I had to renew mine because I didn't finish it before I went on holiday and I didn't want to take a library book with me.
I didn't realise people had a problem with others renewing books.
Sometimes I have to wait for one I have ordered too.

MatildaTheCat · 21/08/2019 13:30

YANBU.

The book is borrowed with a clear timeframe. It’s possible to extend this. If you borrow from a public library you are signing up to the rules. What if nobody ever bothered to return any books until they got round to it.

What’s the book? Smile

ImNotYourGranny · 21/08/2019 13:32

I can't read a book within 3 weeks. I used to be able too, until I was put on medication which messed my brain up. Now I have trouble concentrating on blocks of text. That's why I like MN, lots of little posts and no fine if I don't finish a thread on time. I skip over big posts ie anything over 2 or 3 paragraphs or ones with no paragraphs.

5foot5 · 21/08/2019 13:37

Hmm.

I remember about 20 years ago when DD was small it was a regular Friday thing to go to the library and change the books. One Friday we had done that and then much later, about 5pm I think, I spotted one of her books that I had forgotten to return earlier and it was due back that day.

For a few wild moments I was trying to work out if I had time to get her in the car and across town to do this and still get back in time to cook tea and get the bedtime routine started. It was when I was trying to figure out whether there was anywhere near the library that I could park without paying (no) that I caught myself and realised how irrational this was. The fine for an overdue children's book was about 5p a day - the parking would have been at least five times that.

I calmed down and returned the book the next day.

Now I am not trying to say getting books back on time is unimportant, but it surely isn't the end of the world if you miss it occasionally. Anyone can easily slip up or have a good reason why they can't make it back on time.

Our local library send email reminders now which I think is a good idea

AllBellsNoWhistles · 21/08/2019 13:51

The libraries in my town are great, you don't have to return your books to the library that you borrowed it from, you can return them to any in the town, which is helpful.
I got fined 10p for returning a book a day late recently.

Ten whole English pence! 😱 I'm destined to die a destitute mad old lady to be discovered half eaten by cats.

It is annoying when people return the book late that you are waiting for though.

Sugarformyhoney · 21/08/2019 13:59

I used to always forget and get fined- I couldn’t make it a priority with small dc. Anyway in the end I decided it was too much hassle given how cheap books are on amazon or kindle, especially compared to town centre parking prices. Not many people I know use the library these days

OrangeSwoosh · 21/08/2019 14:09

@DisplayPurposesOnly

I love that ebooks from the library 'return themselves'

Shock what is this witchcraft of which you speak?!

I love my local library. They do so much for kids. I take DS (8 months) every Friday, we get 7 books, and he has a different story each night for the week.

I rarely borrow books for myself though, as I'm kindle user. Must go and investigate ebooks...

escapade1234 · 21/08/2019 14:13

Of course it’s selfish. But that’s the way of the world, in general. People see something “for free” and take advantage.

I don’t borrow library books for myself because I know I wouldn’t finish them in time and would get stressed about returning them. I borrow for the children all the time and keep the receipt on the fridge so we know where we’re up to. Our library has a drop box for out of hours, which is helpful.

I hate being late to return (although it has happened occasionally) and I do think about children who have reserved the book, less so picture books, more the 9-12 bracket.

CassianAndor · 21/08/2019 14:23

I think that some of this is down to libraries allowing you to borrow so many books at one time. So ours allow you to take out 15 at a time! So you see a bunch of books that you like and because you can you check them all out but in fact there's no way you can read 7 books in 3 weeks (or whatever).

Equally, I don't know why, in these automated days, an automatic reminder email or text can't be sent as soon as a book goes overdue. Or a flag come up on the system if you go to renew that says 'this book is reserved for another reader. Are you sure you're going to read it now?' or similar.

JacquesHammer · 21/08/2019 14:24

So you see a bunch of books that you like and because you can you check them all out but in fact there's no way you can read 7 books in 3 weeks (or whatever)

When I used to visit the library I’d take out 16 over 3 weeks, read them all and return on time Smile

berlinbabylon · 21/08/2019 14:25

Hampshire send reminders by email and you can't renew a reserved book. But you can hold onto a reserved book and pay the fine. But that's no use to the person who is waiting for the reserved book.

OrangeSwoosh · 21/08/2019 14:27

Equally, I don't know why, in these automated days, an automatic reminder email or text can't be sent as soon as a book goes overdue

I get an email reminder 3 days before it's due back

CassianAndor · 21/08/2019 14:28

Jacques oh when I was a kid I could totally have read them all but these days it's about 1 book per week/week and a half, something like that.

But you browse around and you're like 'ooh, that looks good', 'ooh, I've wanted the read that for yonks', 'ooh, so-and-so told me that was great' (I do mentally say 'ooh' a lot in libraries and bookshops) and before you know it you've got a pile that you can't carry.

CassianAndor · 21/08/2019 14:29

I've never had a reminder text or email from our borough library in 15 years and I've definitely had stuff go over.

Oh - and no fines on overdue kids' books either.

JacquesHammer · 21/08/2019 14:36

and before you know it you've got a pile that you can't carry.

Yeah. I just bought 25 in second hand stores on hols. Oops Grin

LynetteScavo · 21/08/2019 14:38

Well, I struggle to read a book in three weeks, which is why I buy them instead.

Lots if people I know look down on me a bit for never going to the library, but it's just not worth the hassle.

So, it's not me that's got the book you want OP. Grin

Azeema · 21/08/2019 14:39

@LatteLove
“What if the person is still learning English/to read properly so read quite slowly?”

You said- People really will dream up all sorts of unlikely scenarios on here!

Why this is unlikely? Is why I read slow. Not everyone born in English country.

StitchesInTime · 21/08/2019 14:47

I don't know why, in these automated days, an automatic reminder email or text can't be sent as soon as a book goes overdue.

My library allows users to set this up.
You have to log in to your account online and then there’s options to set up reminder emails for a few days before the books are due back, or for when books are overdue.

Or a flag come up on the system if you go to renew that says 'this book is reserved for another reader. Are you sure you're going to read it now?' or similar.

Again, my library does flag up reserved books.
If you have a book out that’s been reserved by someone else, then when you try to renew it online you get a notification along the lines of “this book cannot be renewed because another library user has reserved it. Please return the book by the due date or you may be charged late fines”.

They can’t make you return the book on time of course, but they’ll charge you fines for not doing so.
Unless the book’s out on the ticket of a child too young to be charged fines.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 21/08/2019 14:54

Why this is unlikely? Is why I read slow. Not everyone born in English country.

I would assume it is common sense in any language not to take out hot new releases or best sellers that are very likely to be reserved straight after you then.

I'd pick something old that is likely to be renewable time and time again so I could take my time.

noideaatallreally · 21/08/2019 15:06

Not really adding to the debate, but just adding a note to say it's great to read that MN has so many library users. I LOVE my local library and keep encouraging everyone to use their library whenever they can. or we will lose this essential service. I can't wait to retire so I can make gull use of the free family tree internet access in ours!

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 21/08/2019 15:07

Frankly, you're all being too kind and reasonable. I think there's a special place in hell for book hoggers. They should be hung by their toes and forced to read Jeremy Clarkson's autobiography for every day overdue.

JacquesHammer · 21/08/2019 15:08

I LOVE my local library and keep encouraging everyone to use their library whenever they can. or we will lose this essential service

I used mine from being a tiny girl. I stopped because they refuse to waive fines incurred by an error on their behalf because it’s “over the threshold” for them to waive. So frustrating.