So I like to have control of my business with the library.
I have a lifetime library card which I was given after I had served six years on the library board.
In general I'm a big library user. I've always been a library user. I read a wide variety of genres. I'm not reading much fiction now which bothers me. I tend to find an author or a series and read most of the books. Lately, I haven't found the author or series.
I like to be able to see the books I have signed out and when they are due to be returned. I can get a book from any library in Alberta.
Okay, so far you have nothing to make a judgement on.
Yesterday I had two books that were due. Neither one of them had been renewed so I should have been able to renew them. Well, one of the books came up that I could not renew it as there was a hold on it. In other words someone wanted the book. Now if I didn't get it back there were library fines. Not an issue for 25 cents a day.
The issue is that I was blindsided by having the demand to return the book when I thought I could finish reading it. What if I'd taken my book to Toronto and decided to renew it on WiFi? I would be stuck paying a fine when I thought I would be able to keep the book. I very rarely have to pay a library fine as I like to follow the rules and get books back so someone else can read them.
It's the principle of the issue that bother me.
So here's my question. Should the library be able to demand that you return a book you are reading before it is due because somebody else wants it?
 |
| The major portion of the library is to the left. I wanted to get the entrance. The red brick part was built as an armory and then used as a fire hall. |
no. they should allow you to renew it at least once or twice (within reason) to be able to finish it before it is promised to another.
ReplyDeleteWe can renew once which is lots unless I'm reading Gone With the Wind!
DeleteI agree that you should be able to keep the book until you finish reading it with out the pressure of the library wanting it back. I hope everything works out!!
ReplyDeleteOh I took the book back. I'll do what they say.
DeleteYou should be able to keep it until the due date. Some books are not renewable at least that has been my experience...usually newly released best sellers. It depends on the guidelines the library follows:)
ReplyDeleteWe can renew once. My problem is that if you take the book in to renew it, the books there and they can take it. If you're renewing on line the book's at home and a special trip has to be made to return the book.
DeleteI believe the rule here is that you must return the book when it is due if someone has put a hold on it. You can put a hold on it also so you can borrow it after that person.
ReplyDeleteIf I borrow a book for my Kindle and I'm not done with it, I turn off the wifi on my Kindle. Then I return the book from my Amazon site so the book is available to whoever wants it next. However, I can still read the book until I finish with it. The next time I turn on my wifi on my Kindle, the book will just disappear.
I think that's a standard rule with a hold. My problem is if you go to the library to renew you're there with the book. If you renew from home you have to make a special trip and what if I took it on my trip to Hawaii?
DeleteI hope you got my comment. I had a break in broadband. Comment moderation is fine but it means I can't tell. Enable it for posts over two days old. I can send you a screen grab and instructions if you would like to do so.
ReplyDeleteI got this comment loud and clear. I don't think I've missed a comment from you.
DeleteYou are justified in being annoyed.
ReplyDeleteWe found our library system to be so cumbersome when we tried to "check out" and download e-books that we gave up. We buy Kindle books from Amazon. We read amost exclusively electronically now.
I haven't tried ebooks yet.
DeleteNo, definitely not. I'd be asking to see where it was written that they could demand it back before it is due. I'd be mightily annoyed if I were you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know it's the rule. I just think it shouldn't be when you renew from home.
DeleteThose are the same rules we have here too and it is fair I think. When you put an demand on a book you pay for it, so you have the right that someone brings the book back.
ReplyDeleteI worked 25 years at the public library and got a lifetime card as well, but they turned it down two years a go, it was to expensive! I have an old collegue who was so angry about this, she never went to the library anymore. But I just pay for it now and don't stop going, I am a member my whole life, can't imagine I should go there anymore.
I think it's different when you renew online. You all of a sudden have a due book that you have to take back right away.
DeleteI think if you haven't quite finished it, you should be able to renew it to finish it and the person next in line would have to wait a few more days or 1 week - I do not think they should allow you to have it more than one extra week though, because then the whole system of borrowing gets messed up. I know from our library down here that ardent readers can read a book in the allotted time but it doesn't always happen that way and I think "one week of grace" should be granted, but that's it. I'm a very fast reader, so no problem for me there, however; if something came up and I couldn't finish my book, I would like to opt into one more week to finish it. Also, it takes forever to change rules in a library, which you probably know as you were part of the board. Good luck Red and I hope you don't get fined.....for that goes on your record?
ReplyDeleteI think renewing it once should be allowed. Maybe twice. And after that, if you haven't finished it, you should have to return it.
ReplyDeleteWe can renew once unless somebody puts a hold on it.
DeleteIf the book is new or a best seller it is up to you to read it in the time allotted so that others can enjoy it as well. As a former librarian, I do agree with this system. Other books you can read at your leisure. The library only has so much money to purchase various copies (electronic or physical) of those bestsellers.
ReplyDeleteFor special books they tell you up front. My issue in this case is the online bit. All of a sudden I would have to make a special trip. what would happen if I'd taken the book on my Mexican holiday?
DeleteI agree, it's a bit of a strange system.
ReplyDeleteWe have been heavy library users, too.
The issue revolves around the online when you have the book at home and are not at the library to renew it.
DeleteUm, Red, since I'm often the person waiting for that book, I think when there is a hold on it you need to return it. I love finding books and putting them on hold, but just last week THREE of them came available at once. I read those books that everybody wants as soon as I get them. Our library system on line lets me know if somebody is waiting for it or not.
ReplyDeleteNow you get a notification and that's great as you are not surprised at the last minute.
DeleteI think that, to some extent, it depends how long you are allowed to keep it in the first place. If the rules are a 21 day loan period then I think if someone else wants to read it it's fair that they should have their 21 days too. You can, after all, put in a request for it when you give it back and they will then have 21 days before you get it again. If you only have a few chapters left then it's probably worth the 25 cents to finish it.
ReplyDeleteI agree Graham he's just whinging. If you can't decide whether to buy a book in a week let alone sort out comments moderation then it's time to give up or pull yourself up. You tell me to adjust my moderation and I'm their yes sir it's done .
DeleteMy issue was that I was at home and would have to make a special trip to return the book.
DeleteA book should be renewable at least once, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWe can renew once unless somebody puts a hold on it.
DeleteIt depends on the guidelines. If it's the only copy in the system and someone puts in a request the day before it's due, for instance, then one doesn't have a choice.
ReplyDeleteThat system worked when you took your book to the library to have it renewed.
DeleteDoes you Kindle have a night light Red? My friends is like a kindle it has another name. It is not too big. The size not like a big kindle. Her hubby bought it for her for 200 dollars. Only can use the light inside I guess. She was trying to show me the light but did not work.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Kindle . How much are they and how big is yours Red? Has anyone read I am Malala. She is a young Muslim girl I think. I won't tell the story. The lady who helped her write it was Patricia McComick. It was pretty intense happenings to her. She was like 16 when she wrote it. A very brave girl.
I don't have a Kindle but I do have an ipad which I haven't used yet for a book.
DeleteI think you should have been able to renew the book, at least once anyway.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, I agree, it would be annoying to not be able to renew your book. Now, in one of your photos I see that you use the Red Deer Library. For some reason I had always thought you were in Eastern Canada. Wow, it is neat to see you are not that far from Seattle ... well, about 500 miles ... but still, a lot closer than, say, Toronto. You are almost due north of where I used to have a cabin in Montana near Bozeman. Do you ever get down to Montana?
ReplyDeleteIn a word? ! NO!!
ReplyDeleteBut I do lovel libraries. And bookstores. And books!