The truth about library fines...Pt.1

Today I took $83.90 from a woman who had apparently forgot to bring back a couple books. The books were never returned and the matter remained unresolved for over 45 days, at which time it is turned to collections (yes the library uses a collection agency--after years of being screwed over). Further examination of her record/account (in the notes section), led to a startling discovery, not too long ago at another branch, she had paid an astounding $414 to clear her record! What an absolute waste, what studpidity...no one should pay overdue fines! For starters, every single one of the 71 l.a. city branch/regional libraries as well as Central Library downtown has 24hr secure book drops, which are incredibly convenient. B. Aside from movies (dvd's/vhs), all library items are renewable...up to 3 times given no one else is requesting the same item. So lets do some simple math; inital loan is 3 weeks, 3 renewals = 9 weeks. So, in theory, you can borrow library items for up to 12 weeks (that's 3 months!). But renewing library items is difficult you say. Um, no. You can renew online (lapl.org), or the 800 number on the bottom of your receipt/due slip. Or you can call any branch and ask the freak clerk to renew your items for you. I digress...

Quite often we hear library patrons say that they don't mind giving to the library, that library overdue fines are the only fines they don't mind paying...that it's going to a good cause. If only these people knew, I continually tell myself. You see, library fines (or "late fees" as the preferred nomenclature), do not go to the individual branch receiving the money. Late fees do not pay for the day-to-day operations of the library, library materials, nor staff salaries. Heck, at .10cents/day for juvenile material and .25cents for "adult" and young-adult material, the rate of return is nominal (understatement!).

So where does this money actually go?

The General Fund for the City of Los Angeles.

Read the Christian Science Monitor's article on library fines here.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0525/p13s01-lign.html

More on library fines later, including complete breakdown of default prices for "lost" items and the library's policy on replacing lost material.