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

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.

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.

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

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.

>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?

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.

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.

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.

Library policeman

Are you any good at drawing spiders?

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

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.

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.)

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.

It's not invaluable. It's valued at ~$1,000.

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.

call. it differs.

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

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

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

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

Haha fair enough!

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

Don’t worry the Goosebumps is the boxed set

Lol That's all right then! :)

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

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