To not want to pay for a missing book that we don't have?

[saltire]

First - DS2 got a letter home saying he ahs nto returned a library book that he borrowed on 14th jan. They are allowed 2 books each. he currently has Willy Wonka in his school drwaer. The other one was about Monsters. It's not at home, we have looked,a nd he doesn't often bring his books home. I have looked in his drawer at school, and the teacher ahd a quick look in the other drawers for me. So now the school are saying they want £5 to buy anew one. They did this once before and it turns out the book had been returned. AIBU in not wanting to pay for a book that we don't have?

It is easy for mistakes to be made (by the library checking back books I mean) and I find this often happens us at our local library, not school one.
I always feel guilty, and as if I stole the bloody book even though I know I brought it back. I wish they'd give a receipt or stamp a card when you return books.
I don't think you should pay, but yet wouldn't want people suspecting me for "book theft", so would probably cave in.

We have a 'Claims Returned' system if people think they've returned a book. We normally keep an eye out for the book for a while, and if it doesn't turn up then we either charge or accept it as a loss. If the reader is certain they don't have it, then it's a bit difficult to make them pay since it could be our mistake rather than theirs.

I'd get in touch and tell them you're pretty sure it's been returned and ask them to do a shelf check.

Obviously, I wouldn't know how this particular library operates though - this is just based on our systems

A friend of mine has this happen a lot at her local library - I don't know what's wrong with their system. It would cost a fortune to pay for them all so she is firm about it. She has been known to walk to the shelves and show them the book in question.

It happens a lot here as well It used to be a fairly rare occurrence but we got self service machines last summer and now it happens all the time. It's very annoying, and very embarrasssing to deal with because I hate it when we've made a mistake and some poor person has been fined for no reason . Especially since our fines are sky high. Sorry, random work rant!