Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I have racked up a hideous total of fines on my four cards combined. It's truly shocking and I feel really irresponsible. Some of it is replacement fee charges that will come off when I return a couple of items, but what I owe will still be pretty bad. What's the most you've racked up? If you beat me I'll tell, and I'll feel a little better. Or maybe this is the worst ever, and you'll all feel really good about yourselves! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawndrese Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Last month I paid my highest...$37 :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I'm sure mine is worse than yours and probably one of the worst ever. I paid $70 something (I don't remember exactly, but it was in the 70s :blush5:). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I cannot disclose that information or I will die of embarrassment.:blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinmami01 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I don't feel so bad now...lol...ours is at $19 between 3 cards :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansamy Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $25 or $30 ... ish. I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Mom Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $60 for items I returned to the wrong library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 I'm sure mine is worse than yours and probably one of the worst ever. I paid $70 something (I don't remember exactly, but it was in the 70s :blush5:). Not even close. I carry a running balance of $20 to $30 a lot of the time. You can all breathe a sigh of relief, except for possibly shanvan. The jury is still out there. Returning to the wrong library is definitely an amusing mistake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 The most I've paid at one time is $21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I cannot disclose that information or I will die of embarrassment.:blushing: :iagree: I'm pretty sure the new wing in the library will be named after my family. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshet Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 just under $300, and yes, that is the correct number of zeros. It was years ago. ET1's issues were not as controlled as they are now. A lot of books were returned damaged one week. All needed to be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawndrese Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Well I'm definitely feeling better...thanks guys! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EducationX2 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 You guys are making me feel really bad. At least once a year I pay a balance of ~$100 on each card. And we have three. (DD and I each have a card to the public library, and then I have one to my school library.) And then I have have 5 dollars around all times..... :blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 just under $300, and yes, that is the correct number of zeros. It was years ago. ET1's issues were not as controlled as they are now. A lot of books were returned damaged one week. All needed to be replaced. We're getting closer. That sounds like a bummer week! There isn't even damage going on here, just overdue, maybe a couple of possible loss cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaLee Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $95 for three cards. After that, I cut up two of the cards and now we only use one for the whole family. That one card also has a limit of 30 books, which at first irritated me, but then I decided that I don't really need more than 30 books out at one time. Also, something our library system did was to put a cap on the total fines. Now, if your fines reach $5 you can't check out new books, order books via inter library loan, or renew books. I thought this was brilliant actually, and this has saved me so much money over the last couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberia Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I've paid $22 two times for books my dog ate. Actually, he just chewed around the edges; they were still readable. I got to keep the books.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) If I every owed more than $100 at one time, I'd quit using the library. You can buy a lot of books on Amazon for hundreds of dollars. Edited July 19, 2012 by Sheldon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I had one in the $40 range once. I started then and there to put all books on one card. It was so much easier to keep track of at home. That reminds me ... this week, I can bring food for the local food pantry in lieu of fines. Need to go shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 If I had hundreds so, I'd quit using the library. You can buy a lot of books on Amazon for $300+ dollars. This is what dh keeps telling me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 $95 for three cards. After that, I cut up two of the cards and now we only use one for the whole family. That one card also has a limit of 30 books, which at first irritated me, but then I decided that I don't really need more than 30 books out at one time. Also, something our library system did was to put a cap on the total fines. Now, if your fines reach $5 you can't check out new books, order books via inter library loan, or renew books. I thought this was brilliant actually, and this has saved me so much money over the last couple of years. Ours blocks your card at $15.00, so I try to make sure a couple of them are clear at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I win this award. Trust me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galatea Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Does your library not have a per item overdue limit? All of the libraries in our metropolitan area cap it at $1.00 per book, as long as you return it. They'll bill you after a month late, but as long as you bring the book back (even years late), the late fine maxes at $1.00 per item. I can't imagine a library being able to justify late fines that end up being more than the item costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I rack up money through book destruction :glare: I've had to replace a few books in my time. Currently I owe $30 for a toy my DS broke :glare: I also found a tag for another toy I don't even remembering borrowing and have no idea where it is - so I'll probably have to replace that as well. Our library loans out toys as well - but I'm thinking of stopping with that borrowing - books are much cheaper to replace then toys and it's really hard to keep track of all the pieces :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaleidoscope Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 It was between 150-200. I quit using the library after that. I returned perfectly fine books into the book bin and then somehow they ended up wet. I was sick over it. Just can't bring myself to go back to the library now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 At least twice a year I get a $50-$60 bill. Sometimes as high as $70+ :glare: hence why I now buy most everything we need, and limit trips to the library. :tongue_smilie: I have a $50+ bill right now that needs to be paid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 I win this award. Trust me. It is a comfort to know there are others like me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathwonk Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Reminds me of the time my high school history teacher, poking around in the detritus behind his desk, said "that looks like a book from Hammurabi's library, wonder what's due on that?":lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Does your library not have a per item overdue limit? All of the libraries in our metropolitan area cap it at $1.00 per book, as long as you return it. They'll bill you after a month late, but as long as you bring the book back (even years late), the late fine maxes at $1.00 per item. I can't imagine a library being able to justify late fines that end up being more than the item costs. Hmmmmmm. This is interesting to ponder. I'll look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I don't usually run up much in fines, but I did lose a book a few months ago and had to pay $35 to replace it. Formerly, if you lost a book, they let you buy a replacement, and turn that in. The few times we lost books, I could usually find a cheap replacement copy on amazon. But now, if you lose one, it's $35. DH tends to run up fines, and dd has a couple of times too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 My libraries fines are ridiculous though. $.25/day for books $1.00 day for DVDs/CD's :glare: with no cap... I was 6 days late one time bc I misread the due date and had a $15 fine. I only NEEDED 2 of those book that time that would have been cheaper to buy. I have a hate hate relationship with the library. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 My libraries fines are ridiculous though. $.25/day for books $1.00 day for DVDs/CD's :glare: with no cap... I was 6 days late one time bc I misread the due date and had a $15 fine. I only NEEDED 2 of those book that time that would have been cheaper to buy. I have a hate hate relationship with the library. :lol: Those fees are about what ours are. I'm more love/hate, but we may be progressing towards hate/ hate. The library has also misplaced items I've returned before, so I have to keep careful track of what I turn in. Unless I don't. Then I end up in this sorry place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Have you ever thought about getting a yearly subscription to libraryelf.com? It is $12/year and you can set up email reminders as often as you need. I am able to review my email every day with - what's coming due, what's on hold, what's overdue. Libraryelf.com has saved my hide on library fines! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 The bill I paid last month for all 5 cards combined was $127 plus I am ordering a dvd and a book myself to replace 2 lost/damaged ones instead of paying the extra high prices the library charges. I pay a bill like that a couple times a year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Have you ever thought about getting a yearly subscription to libraryelf.com? It is $12/year and you can set up email reminders as often as you need. I am able to review my email every day with - what's coming due, what's on hold, what's overdue. Libraryelf.com has saved my hide on library fines! Excellent information, thank you! My library e-mails me, but just once three days before the due date. It would be nice to have more than one reminder. It's often the dvd's that get me the worst. Also, when we go several times during the month I have to keep track of several different dates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Years ago, before I had any kids so this was all books for me to read and all on one card - I had a fine of $195 just in late fees. No damaged books. I had a lot of books out and they were about 6 weeks late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyndiLJ Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 You all have made me feel much better!! I am notorious for late fines, and my highest has been about $78 with all cards combined. I always tell myself that we check out thousands of books a year, and if I pay $300 or so a year, it is still one heck of a bargain. Cindy Who tends to justify my failings ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Around $30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjmakmom Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $84 :blushing::blushing::blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galatea Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Those fees are about what ours are. I'm more love/hate, but we may be progressing towards hate/ hate. The library has also misplaced items I've returned before, so I have to keep careful track of what I turn in. Unless I don't. Then I end up in this sorry place. I hate the misplaced items thing. I worked in public libraries for 10 years before I had my daughter. Some mistakes are inevitable and missed items happen, but some clerks just aren't as careful as they should be at making sure everything is checked in. I would spend tons of time looking for items people said they checked in, and most often they were correct and the item was in the building. If you check out a lot of stuff, or have a problem library, stand at the counter while a clerk checks them all in, then have them print you a new list when they're done so you can make sure nothing was missed. It might be a few minutes of annoyance, but in the end it's worth the money and the value of using the library. At least, it is for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie75 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I owe the library about 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I feel better now. I have, once or twice, paid $60 to clear fines, but that was for a couple of cards. These days, $12 would be a lot; usually if there's anything, it's fifteen cents or so. I use three library systems, with several cards for each system, so easily 9 cards to keep track of. Thankfully, they do email reminders, and one county's system will take books from their system or one of the other systems. I also have google calendar (lovely invention!) set up to email me reminders. One day a week, it reminds me to check the books for one system (because we're near that system on that day of the week), and a different day, it reminds me to check the books for a different system (because DH is near there on that day). Setting up google calendar has *really* cut down on my late fines and has made things SO much easier for me! (Also, living kind of far from the libraries actually helps, because I know we routinely check books out and return them on a specific day of the week. Fewer random "oh, shoot, I forgot books were due a different day" moment.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyS Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $126 on one card $52 on the other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 I feel better now. I have, once or twice, paid $60 to clear fines, but that was for a couple of cards. These days, $12 would be a lot; usually if there's anything, it's fifteen cents or so. I use three library systems, with several cards for each system, so easily 9 cards to keep track of. Thankfully, they do email reminders, and one county's system will take books from their system or one of the other systems. I also have google calendar (lovely invention!) set up to email me reminders. One day a week, it reminds me to check the books for one system (because we're near that system on that day of the week), and a different day, it reminds me to check the books for a different system (because DH is near there on that day). Setting up google calendar has *really* cut down on my late fines and has made things SO much easier for me! (Also, living kind of far from the libraries actually helps, because I know we routinely check books out and return them on a specific day of the week. Fewer random "oh, shoot, I forgot books were due a different day" moment.) You are so organized! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentlemommy Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $90 something. Pre kids. Now I just buy everything off amazon. Not only do I not have to pay fines, I also don't have to wrangle my toddler through the library lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagel270 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 And now you will all hate me when I say my library does not have fines for overdue books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 I hate the misplaced items thing. I worked in public libraries for 10 years before I had my daughter. Some mistakes are inevitable and missed items happen, but some clerks just aren't as careful as they should be at making sure everything is checked in. I would spend tons of time looking for items people said they checked in, and most often they were correct and the item was in the building. If you check out a lot of stuff, or have a problem library, stand at the counter while a clerk checks them all in, then have them print you a new list when they're done so you can make sure nothing was missed. It might be a few minutes of annoyance, but in the end it's worth the money and the value of using the library. At least, it is for me. It's good to know this is not uncommon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) I work at our little town library a bit. The worst patron fines ever were a woman who racked up just over $850 in fines, which did not include ANY replacement fees or lost book fees at all. Considering that the most the library charges for overdue fees on any single book is $5.00, we were just shocked. This was one woman, but she checked out books on her card and cards she had got for each of her 4 kids, yet none of the fined books were kids books. We did not make her pay the whole fine, though. We were just happy to have the books back. Edited July 20, 2012 by Audrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsofpumpkins Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 And now you will all hate me when I say my library does not have fines for overdue books. Mine doesn't either. :) I don't even worry about the actual due date; I just take them back approximately 2 weeks after we check them out. Once I got a postcard asking me to bring back an overdue book because someone else requested it. Other than that, they've never said anything about the books being late. (When I say "late", I mean we are usually a day or two late, not weeks late.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 $10 or so. Before the days of email notices, it took a couple days for the notice to arrive in the mail. I had a pile of books that were all overdue for 3 or 4 days, hiding in the corner. Now that I can check everything online, I very rarely have fines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Hisglory Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 75.00 on a stack of books 3 weeks over-due. It is when I was being courted and I kinda forgot everything:001_wub: Once DS fell on a book and broke the binding and so we got to buy that one. Oh and I have had the library not check in my returned items frequently. I dislike it so much I go in and find them on the shelves and take them to the desk myself. I have asked them to do searches and they will wait days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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