![]() ![]() ![]() Egyptian - which I invented - does not say the H. And while we are clearing up misconceptions, my name is pronounced Tōt. Noelle Parker is the Osage Branch Manager for Missouri River Regional Library and currently owes $2.00 in overdue fees.Hai, mortals. Although your eBook might disappear from your tablet before you’re finished reading it, rest easy knowing it was returned on time. That's not even counting the eBooks and audiobooks I’ve borrowed, which accrue no fines whatsoever! That sounds like a pretty great investment to me definitely worth the risk.Īnd for all the fine weenies out there- digital items may be the way to go. But on that same financial note, I’ve borrowed 3,998 items since 2002 which estimates to about $85,000 worth of materials and only had $148.00 in late fees over the past sixteen years. I’m not wealthy, so I certainly understand the worry over money. For example, I feel like there are SO many parents out there who think “I can’t risk my child ruining a book, so I just won’t borrow.” or “I have fines so I just won’t bother going to the library anymore because I’m a bad patron.” I understand. I certainly want people to be respectful of our library items, but I also wish that the worry over fines wasn’t such a deterrent to library use. However terrible these circumstances may seem at the time, try not to be discouraged. Sometimes, we spill juice or coffee or have a pet who decides to tear into the latest John Grisham novel. Using the library is DEFINITELY worth the risk. Also, after an unfortunate incident involving a poorly fastened juice lid, I’ve had to pay to replace library materials before. I hope you’re not offended if you’re one of the very few people who’ve never EVER had a fine, but statistically speaking, the majority of our patrons have had overdue fees at one point or another. The next one is in April during National Library Week. Also, there are certain times of the year when the library offers “Food For Fines” when patrons are able to donate non-perishable food items in place of a dollar amount. If you can return the materials, we can work with you on the late fees. That is what we care most about and one of the reasons why fines exist. The most important thing is to return the library materials. There are statistical reports showing numbers and logistics, but unless a patron requests that staff look into their account, it is highly unlikely any of the staff knows about who has what kind of late fees on a patron’s account. Because the fines are automatically generated by our computer system, we have no idea which patrons have fines unless there is a specific inquiry into the account. Also in the mail mix are notifications to patrons who have items on hold which are ready to pick up, so there’s no real way to tell who has which notifications. A computer recognizes which items are overdue and either sends email notifications or prints notifications then mailed by a machine. (I suppose unless this is how you think computers behave). ![]() I promise, there aren't any staff members who are laughing like deranged Muppets as they systematically add up late fees onto patron accounts. Our fines are generated automatically by our computer system. And since I spend a good deal of time talking with patrons about their fines, here I am writing a blog post about it to tell you all the things I’d like all our patrons to know: My dear dear patrons, take a deep breath- I’m sure you’re NOT the worst. I’ve seen people who recognize me from the library panic at the sight of me and skip aisles in the grocery store only to later approach me in the checkout line to confess: “I know I have overdue fees! I promise I’ll get that book back next week, I just couldn’t find it and then I had to travel with my son this week to chaperone baseball games and I just keep forgetting! I’m the worst!” Our library has overdue fees, also known as “fines” It’s certainly not a favorite aspect of my job. ![]()
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