FREAKING OUT - Library fine of $300 !?

nour.afara · 01-10-2012 at 08:48 PM

Okay so I have an email from Mills saying I have overdue books. They've been out for about a month or so because I needed them for a research paper and then kept forgetting to take the big, heavy bag of books back to the library. The email says that the amount of $396.00 is now added to my McMaster amount for me to pay off because apparently I lost all those books. That is untrue. I had asked a lady at the check out desk and she told me there is no penalty for over due books so that's why I did not stress over bringing them back. I'm freaking out. If I return the book tomorrow, will I still have to pay that entire amount??

mcmastergcdb · 01-10-2012 at 08:51 PM

I would advice taking your books back and talking to the lady about the issue.

Bug324 · 01-10-2012 at 09:05 PM

Something similar happened to me once, but not at Mac. What had happened was that, since they assumed I had lost the book, they were charging me the full amount to replace it. Once I brought it back, it went from being "lost" to "overdue", and I only had to pay about $3. Maybe this is what's going on...?

MacPack · 01-10-2012 at 09:46 PM

There are late charges as far as I remember . Just go in and speak to them. Not a student , one of the actual librarians

**Chad** · 01-10-2012 at 09:55 PM

Hey Nour!

First off... deep breath. Things will get sorted out

Second, you can review the 'official' library policies about returning books here:
http://library.mcmaster.ca/borrow

It says:

Quote:

If another user has recalled a book you have checked out, you will receive an email notification requesting you to return the book. You have until 14 days from the original loan date or 5 days from the date of recall, whichever is longer, in which to return the book, after which a fine of up to $5 a day or partial day is levied.

If you don't return an overdue item we suspend your borrowing privileges, charge a book replacement fee, and a non-refundable administrative charge per item.

So what they've done is charged your the book replacement fee. Since you still have the books, just return them and ask to wipe the fee off your student record.

Maitland · 01-11-2012 at 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

So what they've done is charged your the book replacement fee. Since you still have the books, just return them and ask to wipe the fee off your student record.

However if I read it correctly, you will still have to pay the non-refundable administrative fee...

katrinabell · 01-12-2012 at 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacPack

There are late charges as far as I remember . Just go in and speak to them. Not a student , one of the actual librarians

Just as an FYI, the people who aren't students who work at the front desk aren't librarians. Not every adult in a library is a librarian and they have nothing to do with the charges so you wouldn't need to go see one.