Posted on 09/27/2007 12:26:32 PM PDT by varyouga
HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) - Even the dead apparently have to pay the fines on their overdue books at one Westchester County library. Elizabeth Schaper said she was charged a 50-cent late fee while turning in a book that her late mother had checked out of a Harrison Public Library branch.
"I was in shock," Schaper said. "This has rocked me to my core."
Schaper's mother, Ethel Schaper, died at the age of 87 on Sept. 16 after suffering a massive stroke. A few days later, Schaper said she found a library book, "The Price of Silence," by Camilla Trinchieri, that her mother had checked out from the library.
...
"I told him that maybe he didn't hear me right, that my mother had just died, otherwise I'm sure that she would have returned it on time," Schaper said. "His only reply was that, 'That will be 50 cents.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
We have a middle finger for these occasions.
Whenever returning a book of questionable origin (ie might be late but not on your card) use the overnight drop keeps them from tying you to the book and asking for money. Of course the lady could have walked away telling them to bill her mom. Libraries are very stimulus response on this kind of stuff, if you bring in a book and stand there while they check it in and find out it’s late they’re going to want you to pay the fee, if you don’t want to be asked to pay the fee don’t be there when they check it in.
20 posts before the Seinfeld reference? We’re slipping.
Just give the library her new address and have them bill her:
Pinedell Cemetary
Plot 186
I smell the stink of a mental torture angle on a lawsuit here.
If that's all it takes to rock her world, it's too small a world for me to want to have anything to do with.
-PJ
“I would have told the heartless bastard where he could go”
At last, somebody on this thread recognizes the complete lack of human decency on the part of the moron behind the counter.
How about “Ma’am, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Don’t worry about the fine.”
Woulda really broken the bank, huh?
Sorry, just got here. :-)
Post 20, folks!
If this was such a shock that it rocked her to her core I say lady get yourself a good analyst.
No, better yet - throw them all around the library, and make him pick up every one - THAT'S workin' it.
Maybe they needed proof. Should have just sent the boyfriend to get documentation!
FATHER JESSUP: You seem to be of great comfort to Betsy, we’re very appreciative.
GEORGE: Oh - comfort, schmomfort. Listen, Father, can I ask you a question? In a terrible time like this...who would I get the death certificate from?
PATRON: I'm bringing back this book my deceased mother checked out.
LIBRARIAN: That will be $.50 late fees.
PATRON: You don't understand, the book was checked out by my mother, Mildred Smith, she passed away last week. She can't pay anymore or you'd have to file a claim against her estate for $.50
LIBRARIAN: I don't care about your personal problems, you're returning a late book, you pay the fine.
PATRON: Look Lardbutt, I'm not paying on a book I didn't check out.
LIBRARIAN: LARDBUTT! Do you know I am? I'm Librarian Rachett, head librarian for the entire state and have exclusive power to collect all late fees.
PATRON: Oh Yeah, well do you know who I AM!
LIBRARIAN: No, who are you.
PATRON: Goodby Lardbutt.
that one never gets old.
So you’re saying any old person should be able to walk into the library with a late book, say the person who checked it out is dead, and get the fines waved? Sorry a little proof that the person is dead should be expected, like a death certificate which takes a while to get. The guy at the counter has no way to know she’s telling the truth.
maybe another one for your not-a-ping list
"Sue the estate, dickweed."
I have a book that was due back at the Library in 1987.
I need to get rid of the evidence, ie the book, by any means. Otherwise I will owe $2,765,908 in fines.
Bloom County: Binkley's anxiety closet
Description:
Binkley is in bed, but not asleep. The snorklewacker is bouncing on his bed in a veritable tizzy of anxiety-producing euphoria.
"Wake up, Binkley! Wake up! Wake up!!"
Binkley sits up, clutching the blankets to his chin, as the snorklewacker continues, "Oh, we have a wonderful anxiety of yours tonight, Binkley! Hoo boy, it's really the pits!!"
The snorklewacker waves something in front of Binkley's bleary eyes, explaining, "Look! Look what I found in the back of the closet, Binkley! A Dr. Seuss book! "Green Eggs and Ham!"... Remember it? Now, wait while I go fetch Mrs. McGreevy!"
Binkley sits, holding the book, and tries to remember... 'Mrs. McGreevy? Why, she's the... the...'
THWONK!! A battle-axe embeds itself in the wall above Binkley's head.
"...librarian!!" Binkley finishes the thought and screams the word as a little old lady, carrying a bloodstained axe, smiles at him and says, "119 weeks overdue, dear..."
Doesn’t surprise me from an organization that has so few morals that they let kids watch porn.
Yours is the best idea.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.