Comments on: Library Fines Got You Down? The Collection Agency is Coming

By: Library Fines: Collection Agencies are Scarier than Librarians. | Personal Finance Analyst

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:39:54 +0000

[...] discovered that my public library isn’t the only joint who’s willing to sick the dogs of war on anyone who’s late returning The Dogs of War. [...]

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By: bethh

bethh — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:37:58 +0000

I used to work in a library, and the main lender in our system found that over *half a million* dollars in materials was missing. The libraries owe it to their communities and funders to get their materials back. However if I were the poster above with the labor situation, I'd have taken that problem up to the director, and then to the library board. That's unconscionable.

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By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:58:05 +0000

My library system (Metro Detroit has a system connecting many area libraries) utilizes an online catalog that also lets you maintain a personal account. This means I can not only place a hold for inter-library loans, but I can renew books online, and even track my reading. One other great feature is that you can input your email to get notifications on your account (a book is ready to be picked up, or A BOOK IS DUE IN TWO DAYS!) I haven't had a late fee since I started using this service!

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By: CathyG

CathyG — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:48:25 +0000

Our library does not charge daily fines. I think they said it just wasn't worth the trouble to keep track of all the little amounts. You can't totally get away with everything though - they don't let you check out anything new if you have an overdue book, and if it gets past a certain point (a month??) they follow the same replacement fees and collection agency policies that everyone else seems to have. Not sure if it shows up on a credit report or not - I've never let it go that long.

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By: The Simple Dollar » The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Saddest Birthday Ever Edition

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:01:32 +0000

[...] Library Fines Got You Down? The Collection Agency is Coming This is one of the drawbacks of using a library - and I’ve been bitten by it a few times. (@ queercents) Related Posts What Can A Dollar A Day Get You? And An Inspirational IdeaThe Simple Dollar Morning Roundup: Baby Week Thursday EditionThe Simple Dollar Morning Roundup: Birthday Party EditionInvesting A Young Child’s AllowanceHaving A Baby? Here’s An Amazing Idea That Will Teach Them What Investing Is All About Did you like this article? You can get the complete text of all the latest articles at The Simple Dollar in your email inbox each morning by entering your email address below. Your address will only be used for mailing you the articles, and each one will include a link so you can unsubscribe at any time. Report an unethical ad No comments yet. Be the first. Leave a reply [...]

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By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:53:33 +0000

I was sent to a collections agency and had $43 reported on my otherwise PRISTINE credit report (800+) - for books that I returned, but that the library insists I did not. I would possibly entertain the idea that I might have made a mistake (it's happened once or twice) HOWEVER in this case I specifically remember returning the books BECAUSE I WAS IN LABOR AT THE TIME. I was so concerned that I might be a day late if my delivery turned into a c-section, that I took my books to the library on my way to the hospital, with my contractions coming at 4 minutes apart. Somewhat memorable; anyone who's been in labor may agree that you're not likely to forget the things you do on the way to the hospital. For my conscientiousness... and for absolutely horrific but to-be-expected bureaucratic customer service, and even with a 20 year history at the library - I was told that the library does not make mistakes and the debt was reported. On principle, I refused to pay, and the $43 collections debt remains on all 3 credit reports, and it cost me quite a notch on my score. I haven't used a library since.

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By: BiblioFemme

BiblioFemme — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:18:15 +0000

Thank you SO much for this post. I am a librarian in Northern CA and we have a huge problem with people not returning things. We don't want your money, we just want our books!

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By: Serena

Serena — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:17:47 +0000

Paula, I think those hefty library fines come from the replacement fees most libraries charge for lost books. Most college students can tell you that universities frequently charge over $100 to replace one book. Your suggestion of having a set space in your house for library books is a good one. I keep my library books in a canvas bag in the living room so they're easy to pick up when I go to the library.

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By: Kem

Kem — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:08:03 +0000

I'm a librarian in a busy metro system. We use a collection agency, but strangely I'm told that this does not adversely affect our patron's credit because it is not reported. Also, it is not overdue books that cause accounts to be sent to C.A. - it is replacement costs for material checked out and never returned. Yes, sadly, people regularly steal from the library.

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