What to do if Library book is lost?

Submitted by iNick20 t3_123h701 in books

Book is called: Designed by Apple in California ISBN: 9780997513813

It was an $200/$300 book at launch. Just high quality pictures of Apple products at the time. Now the book is OOP and costly online. I don't mind paying the retail price on it, but I can't afford the eBay pricing I just seen online. I mean it was just an book of Apple products up until 2016. I assume, it wasn't an book being checked out much often. Not excusing my behavior either.

If I can't find it due to the mess my life is in right now with moving, what's do you think they'll do? I know I have to call and find out, but I'd rather have some details before hand.

Edit: I found the book. I don't remember putting it in that spot. But I feel better. Thanks for all the comments here.

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Eilayth t1_jdulnfz wrote

In most libraries I know, you pay a fine, I don't know how big.

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iNick20 OP t1_jdum8fp wrote

I understand that and I'll pay the retail cost if I have too. But the cheapest one on eBay pre-owned is $1,500. Which would kill my pockets if I got forced to pay that amount or close to it.

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Eilayth t1_jdunmu3 wrote

I don't know how your library prices this. In my experience, they usually charge the loss, based on the value of the book, not straight up charge you for the book of ebay. They might write the book off and not have it anymore, they might be able to get it from other sources (sometimes printing houses keep extra copies, sometimes the company,...)

Your best bet is really just talking to your library.

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iNick20 OP t1_jdunp89 wrote

>I don't know how your library prices this. In my experience, they usually charge the loss, based on the value of the book, not straight up charge you for the book of ebay. They might write the book off and not have it anymore, they might be able to get it from other sources (sometimes printing houses keep extra copies, sometimes the company,...)

What do you mean by charge the loss, based on the value?

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Eilayth t1_jduo227 wrote

Let's say they paid X for the book. They had extra work with it, to prepare it for library use, so that's an upcharge. It was on offer in the library for people to use for X years, so that's a downcharge. Depending on the state it was in, that might also influence its value. And then they have their own calculations (which I don't know) that calculate the fine. Then based on the popularity of the book, the number of copies they have, its importance to the library etc, they may or may not get a replacement.

So you're paying for the book you lost (and how much it was worth to them), not for its replacement. (So for this book you might pay a 200€ fine, not 1500€ for the ebay replacement)

But again, this is VERY library dependant.

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scarletseasmoke t1_jdvla5e wrote

If the fine is over what you can afford without going hungry or not paying bills, talk to your librarian about options. It's bad that you've lost a book that's hard to replace, it would be worse if you got sick over it or something because it's a thing and you're a person, so libraries often have alternatives, instalments or ways to lower the fine.

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iNick20 OP t1_je49rwh wrote

I found the book. I don't remember putting it in that spot. But I feel better. Thanks for all the comments here.

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despitegirls t1_jdumshk wrote

Call your library or check their website and find out. There's usually a fee but how much it is depends on your library and we wouldn't know.

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iNick20 OP t1_jdumudz wrote

I'll do that when I get the chance to today. Thanks.

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Eilayth t1_jdunp9e wrote

Most libraries do have it written as "depends on the book" or "by the judgement of the library" or sth though, not a stable price.

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despitegirls t1_jdus8va wrote

That makes sense. I just checked and my current library actually does this. They did away with flat fees several years ago according to the site.

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Lizk4 t1_jdvk889 wrote

My library allows you to replace the book with something equivalent. That is a nice option, especially when my kids were small and continually losing their library books. (Before I get chastised for not being more careful, "continually" is hyperbole...it was a small handful of books over a period of 10-15 years of almost weekly library trips lol.)

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dorfWizard t1_jdvw8xc wrote

Sorry I lost your $1,000 book. Here’s some Goosebumps, now we’re even.

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Lizk4 t1_jdwhedm wrote

You must not have read the "equivalent" part...

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JIN_DIANA_PWNS t1_jdvsdj9 wrote

Leave the country for a decade. The statue of limitations on library books is 9 years.

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dunvilsteev t1_jdv6auq wrote

They charge the initial cost of the book and a processing fee in my local branch.

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Gawdam_lush t1_jdyho3u wrote

I think they will ask you to pay a certain amount or purchase the book and bring the new copy in.

It sounds like in this case it will be cheaper to pay what the library is asking .

From what I remember there is a limit that they can charge you.

If you pay this off before racking up late fees, then find the book later, you can bring it in and (at least at my local branch) they give you the price of the book back minus the actual late fees.

So, whatever you do, take care of it asap because the late fees are what get you in the end

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lucia-pacciola t1_jdv9zc1 wrote

I mean it really sucks that you borrowed a rare book documenting some iconic commercial designs, and then lost it. Now none of the other patrons of your library will ever be able to enjoy or benefit from that volume. They'll have to find one of the other increasingly rare copies, or else go without.

Your carelessness is depriving your community of good things. I'm so very much not sorry that paying the fine might not be in your budget. I wish very very much that you had thought about that more carefully before you lost the book.

Also, when you fuck up, it's customary to use language that clearly identifies the actor in the scene. "I lost the book." Not "the book is lost." I'm not asking you to excuse your behavior, but I do wish you'd fully own it.

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scarletseasmoke t1_jdvkl8v wrote

Let's not pretend the information in that book is invaluable, it's a picture collection you can likely find a digital equivalent of that's more convenient to use. The invaluable thing is compassion and empathy, your carelessness with your words is what's depriving communities of nice things.

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sprinkles-n-jimmies t1_jdws6k1 wrote

It's not like they set the book on fire or sold it for drugs. They lost it. Which is an accident. Sh*t happens. Cool your pants

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lucia-pacciola t1_jdwyku5 wrote

Haha fair enough!

Counterpoint: As my mom once told me when I dropped the good china, "sometimes you have to mean not to."

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