Dead? You Still Have to Pay Library Fine

My Way News ^ | 9/26/07 | AP

[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.'"

[Fire_on_High]

There’s legal and then there’s decent. If the librarian was any sort of a decent person he would’ve waived the fine, and if that wasn’t possible he still could have told her it was and paid it out of his OWN pocket. I understand that there’s rules but there has to be some sense and compassion, too.

[Bender2]

Gadzooks, when my late Father died in 1971, one of the first things I did was to find out what his total assets were and what his total debts were so I could settle up his estate for my Mother. If I had found out he owed fifty cents for a late library book, I would have paid it and gone on my way.

This ‘flap’ over this dead woman’s owing on a late library book is 1) making a mountain out of way less than a molehill and 2) a prime example of how little common sense there is out and about nowadays and how far civility has fallen in the years since my Dad died.

In today era of “Poor me!” victim-hood I say we don’t need such fools wasting good air! Grow up or jump over the cliff to allow the grownups in the world to proceed on with their useful lives.

[Slings and Arrows]

I’ve read it. A classic.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Shudda dropped it in the night return bin.

Libraries hereabouts charge you when you take out new books. They won’t even accept the money if you offer it when returning books.

[dfwgator]

"Hey man, don't Bundy that book!"

"You're quite famous, you know. This week we've had 34 overdue books returned by mail. With checks. The children are terrified and treat each book like fine china. Mr. Bundy, You've become the Freddie Krueger of the library system!"

[pray4liberty]

There’s legal and then there’s decent.

Unfortunately, the two are not related.

I agree with you, though, that what happened was just heartless.

[TrueKnightGalahad]

Agree 100% about people taking responsibility. I know that if I were on the other side of the counter, I would have expressed condolences and told her no overdue fine was necessary, even if “they” took the $.50 out of my paycheck. Society would be much better if everyone took more responsibility on one hand, and were more gracious and generous on the other.

[LibKill]

I suppose the lady who returned the book was in her 60's or older, and a much nicer person than I am.

Let's replay this LibKill style.

LibKill: "I found this book at my mother's home."

ShiiteHeel Librarian: "It's late, that will be 50 cents."

LibKill: "My mother is dead. I returned this book to the library because I like libraries."

ShiiteHeel Librarian: "It's late, that will be 50 cents."

LibKill: "Here's your 50 cents and your book, ENJOY!"

ShiiteHeel Librarian: [Choking sounds as 50 pennies and a book are caught in her fascist throat.]