I was late returning books to the library. Very late, almost a month.
The punishment? My library card is suspended until 29 March 2008.
I asked the librarian, How does that work?
She shrugged and said, It's not me, it's the computer that decides how long your card is suspended.
Some days it's not surprising that the Inquisition thrived here for so many years.
This is an outrage!
What kind of literary institute (for the publics benefit) would treat one it's patrons so cruelly? Were these penalties discussed at the time you originally got your library card? What do they expect you to do for 4 months? Could these texts have been renewed. Was the harsh penalty based on the duration of the overdue items and how about fines?
Posted by: Freya | 24 November 2007 at 20:02
Freya was wrapping gifts for some friends in Europe so Mr. Freya had to post the comment!
Posted by: Freya | 24 November 2007 at 20:05
I was shocked the first time this happened a few months ago, but that time I was only a few days late and the suspension was for about a week. This time I was very late on some films and only a little late on the books (all from the children's section). There is no explanation anywhere on this system and how it is calculated.
It's only Isabel's card that is suspended until next March; mine still works so I marched right back up to the counter with more books and films after that little encounter.
But... she doesn't know how it works? The computer decides!? Apparently this is the punishment, although I would rather pay fines.
Posted by: Sue | 25 November 2007 at 10:29