I usually have a ton books out, but recently I have been taking out fewer because they end up mixed in with my personal collection. With our library, once you pay for the book there are no refunds.

To me, it's embarrassing as a library employee (HR Manager in fact) to lose books. Our late fines are waived, but we do have to pay for lost items. Recently I thought I had lost a book so reported it lost and told them I would pay as soon I found my checkbook. Then on the heels of that, I lost a brand new CD. I tore the house apart and finally found both. The book had fallen behind my headboard and the CD was downstairs on a book shelf having mysteriously moved from where I put it at the front door.

So do you have a method of keeping track of your library books? Does your library charge employees and volunteers late and/or lost fees?

HI Diane --
Sorry for the delayed response. I'm having trouble with my forum passwords. All of my books live in one of three places. The bookshelf near the door, my Library Friends totebag, or on my nightstand. We do give printed receipts so I usually have that on the fridge so I remember. We do not charge fines but do charge for lost books. Fortunately, I haven't lost any yet.

I lost the back of the battery case on one of their audio books and had to pay $35. I'll never check out another one again.

Ouch! That is expensive!

I finally found a book I thought I lost, fortunately I had not paid for it yet so I could return it. Our library adopted a policy a couple of years ago, no refunds once you pay for a lost book. I found it stuck between my mattress and my headboard...that was luck! It was on old Kenneth Blanchard book that was going to cost $19 to replace it's well worn pages.

I just took a book out of another library system in another County. I have to make sure I return it on time. Our late fees are not waived in other jurisdictions.