Cincy Libraries Going After Delinquent Patrons

Re:It if were me…
The people that complain about a few dollars in fines are the ones who would oppose any tax increase or referendum for the librarys anyway, at least I think so.

Some patron brought in a soaking wet book which was part of an alphabetical children’s set. The volume would have to be replaced so we would have to get an identical item or the $17 it would cost us to replace it. ( I checked amazon sometimes you can find things cheaper but not this time)

After bitching and moaning about how they checked it out that way (yes we just washed it and hadn’t had time to put the book in the dryer) the man said “Fine, I’ll talk to my wife about it she checked it out. But, I can tell you we’re never coming to this library again we will use the school library.”

I then told him I can’t waive the replacement cost but so his children could use the library I would personally pay the fee and I took $20 out of my pocket. He said the money was not the point but that the book was like that when they got it (it was still wet, you could dry the pages with a paper towel it was obvious someone got it wet just before bringing it back). He said it was the principle of the thing and we were trying to get them to pay for something they didn’t do. These were not poor people, unless there is some welfare program that gives out monogrammed dress shirts.

I said it was unfortunate that he was going to deprive his children of the use of the library just because of a damaged book. He developed an attitude and said he would discuss it with his wife and stomped out. I blocked the card until they cough up the $17.

The kids have been back with the mom but nothing gets checked out (the kids could get cards but only the mom has one). Geez people seventeen bucks and you have a BMW SUV. I guess it was the principle, the principle of not being personally responsible for anything.

People who like the library and appreciate the library’s services bring their items back and pay their fines.