Comments on: Where Your Library Fines Go

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:43:28 +0000

Actually, where fines go has to do more with how the public library is set-up. The one I work in is not a city or county entity, we’re funded by a tax district set-up solely for the library. Fines in our library are used for developing the collection, they do not go to any other place outside the library. Coincidentally, this is also why our library was not hit by the recession the way the neighboring city-run library was. They have to cut their staff by almost half because the city budget can’t support them as is.

Joining the friends of the library group is a great idea, our group has an ongoing sale of used books all year and two mega sales a year. There are plenty of people out there who are unaware of what libraries can do for the community and some who are actually anti-library, so advocating for your library is a great things to do!

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Friday Gathering: Healthcare Heat Edition — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:00:30 +0000

[...] . . . I always thought that my library fines supported the public library. Mrs. Micah says that such fines do not support your local library. Turns out that they are more like a tax. MM suggested several, more proactive ways to help out [...]

By: mrsmicah

mrsmicah — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:40:59 +0000

@Michael Sorry. At least it’s still going to county stuff like roads and schools, right?

@Cat that sounds like a better setup. I think they should go to the library, since libraries always need more funding.

@Roger guess you gotta return books on time, then. Or look at it as renting the book for a short period, still normally cheaper than buying.

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August 9, 2009 Link Payday | Uncommon Cents — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:24:43 +0000

[...] favorite personal finance librarian blogger, Mrs. Micah, tells us Where Your Library Fines Go as well as how to support your public library. I am a big fan of the public library, so I love to [...]

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Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:52:45 +0000

[...] Where Your Library Fines Go at Mrs. Micah [...]

By: Roger

Roger — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:39:01 +0000

Well, that’s kind of depressing; not that I pay fines very often, but it does make any future fines even worse, knowing that I won’t even be supporting the library.
Roger´s last blog ..Why Investors Care About Dividends

By: Cat

Cat — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:18:58 +0000

I asked my librarian once, and luckily in my area the fines do actually go to the library (the book fund specifically). I’ll have to look into volunteering though, I hadn’t thought of that!
Cat´s last blog ..Zappos

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:48:21 +0000

GAHH

I owe $50 and I was telling myself that to feel better about it.

By: mrsmicah

mrsmicah — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:13:47 +0000

@Miranda That’s what I would tell patrons who couldn’t renew a book they desperately wanted to keep. I’d say “Well, from here on it’s like renting a video. You can keep it and finish it if you’re willing to pay the 5 cents or 15 cents a day.”

By: Miranda

Miranda — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:10:51 +0000

This is a great eye-opener for me. I didn’t realize how library fines worked. I was never in the “at least I’m supporting…” camp, though. I more often just think about this way: I kept the book overdue, I pay the fine. Take what you want, and pay for it.
Miranda´s last blog ..Saturday Staples: Personal Finance Reading