My eight year old went on a field trip with his cub scout troop to the library. He was very excited, because for me and my family it is cheaper to go to the book store. So we never go to the library (or the post office, but I'll save that for a different day). The big day arrived, and I got him there on time with everything he needed. He was in his cute little uniform with his permission slip that I had filled out days before, and I didn't even lose it!! Thank you!!! I'm very proud of myself. I even sent him with his own library card (he forgot he had one). I again was very proud of myself for being that brave in allowing one of my kids to actually check out a book. My eight year old is one of my most responsible kids so I trusted him.
When he got home, you could see the disappointment on his little face. He didn't have any books just a piece of paper and his library card. He didn't say anything just handed me the paper. It said we lost The Martian Chronicles in June of 2009, and we now owe $20!! For a book that I'm positive my 8 year old would not have read when he was 6!!! I called and tried to get more info hoping, of course, it wasn't my fault. Although the records say it was.
So I started asking my teenagers if they liked the book The Martian Chronicles. My daughter said she hadn't read it and my son said the same thing. Then he paused and said, "Oh, maybe I did read it. Why?"
I said (very calmly and patiently like all good moms would), "Because you never took it back to the library!!!
So he said, "Oh, I'll go look on my shelf and see if I still have it."
To which I asked (again happily sounding a lot like Snow White), "You have had a library book on your shelf for two years and haven't noticed?!! And you don't even remember reading it?!"
A minute later he came down stairs carrying the lost book and $20!!! So now you know why I never go to the library!!! I will now be taking my eight year old to Barnes and Noble and buy him Junnie B. Jones and The Magic School Bus. That'll be cheaper than a $40 fine in 2 years from now!!!!
Someone else who feels the same way! I hate library fines! My 12 year old son set up his account so they only emailed him when things were overdue. What did that result in? $70 in fines! He was doing chores for a very long time. We haven't given up on the library totally. But its only for special occasions...(Spring Break, Holiday weekends etc.)
ReplyDeleteI have 3 library cards I have to manage and they all have fines. 2 of them the fines are too big to use right now. You're right-it's cheaper to just go to B&N!
ReplyDeleteMy family cannot understand why I don't like the library; bookstore is much cheaper.
ReplyDeletehahaha!!!! THAT is funny.
ReplyDeletei remember growing up when we went to the library there was a routine that mom would get out her day planner and write down all the books everyone had checked out. now i know why!
I'm impressed he willingly paid the fine himself! That shows what a good boy you are raising him to be!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I am now so happy that we use the city library system instead of the county one. They have an on going thing that you can read down any fine that is for a kids item. So if I read to my son at the library with them timing us, we get a $1 of fines taken off for every ten minutes we read. Awesomest thing ever!! If they didn't have this we would NEVER go to the library because I am terrible at getting things back on time :)
ReplyDeletei am also proud he is paying the fee ... and i totally am impressed with the mom who recorded all the books. i have also seen mom's who have a "library basket" and all books stay in there when not being read. but that is a lot of work when you have 6, soon to be 7 kids!!!
ReplyDeletei would die without the library ... i read 140+ books a year and couldn't afford to buy them even at half price!!
I am also impressed that he willingly paid the fine. He did get to keep the book after he paid it though. He still hasn't read it!!
ReplyDeleteWe also keep track of the books and keep the receipt on the fridge to remind us of all the books. The only thing I can think of is I forgot due to the fact that I had just given birth to my 6th child 10 day before we went to the library.
We have made a very large investment in books. I think I have spent enough money at Barnes & Noble and Deseret Book that I am the reason they are still open and thriving today.