A
Miracle on Library Place?
While riding our bus Jackie, one of our handicapped
handi-capable students suddenly dropped Michael Talbot’s groundbreaking Holographic
Universe book onto some molecules in the wheelchair aisle.
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Notably, the book spilled to a page that covered
both miracles and time. This opened a discussion where Jackie mentioned the
curious book was overdue, and she hesitates to check out any more books, because
she often loses track of time.
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A couple of us told Jackie that a lot of librarians
like to forgive. They might waive the late fee if she mentions the fact that she
was snowbound the day it was due and the roads were closed. Not only that, but
we found out that Jackie was unaware she could easily extend her borrowing time
over her phone or even online – that is, so long as somebody else hasn’t
already reserved the insightful holographic book for their borrowed time, and
if Jackie has her library card number ready.
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I disliked seeing humble Jackie still hesitate over
this small change issue, when considering checking out another book.
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Conspicuously, the next day I read that some libraries
have developed innovative methods for encouraging poor people to comply with
late fees. Following that, even waste-transfer and dump stations often give
mulligans and occasionally designate specific drop-off dates for unwanted items
and hazardous materials.
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Besides what I unearthed about libraries providing occasional
amnesty days (which doesn’t address the issue of existing overdue fees) some
libraries have initiated a popular food-for-fines program, which helps by
having a particular day where patrons bring food items in for local homeless
shelter donations, giving one dollar credit of waived library fee per item.
Sometimes they’ve found they need to apply a cap on the total amount they allow
waived.
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I hope this good news helps Jackie some with her
decision. Her fellow bus riders wouldn’t like seeing her allow a few dollars to
subtract from her important investment in our wide-reaching reading universe.
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