Admittedly, I’ve never been good at returning things on time. Video games, movies, books… you name it. I’ve owed Blockbuster, Captain Video, and the Ramapo-Catskill Public Library system so much money that I have probably provided for many of their respective employees. It didn’t take long for me to start this practice in the New York Public Library system, as well.
Many, many months ago, I took out a copy of The Charge of the Light Brigade for research on my scene in Orphans. I also took out audio CDs of The Last Five Years, Songs for a New World, Liza with a Z, and Goblin Market. As I type this, all of the aforementioned materials sit on the left-hand side of my desk.
While at a trip to the Mid-Manhattan Libary yesterday (trying to find a copy of Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials - Book II : The Subtle Knife), I decided to check how much my late fines were.
$83.90
This figure left me flabbergasted. To even attempt to consider paying off these fines would make my head hurt so much, I could swear that I’d been drinking for a week straight. As far as I was concerned, I would never borrow another library book again. Ever.
Then, I started surfing the internet.
For reasons I’ll never truly know, I decided to visit the NYPL’s website. While there, I found the following announcement.
Many Happy Returns from The New York Public Library
Take advantage of this one-time opportunity to return all late materials without penalty. Fine-free returns starts February 19 and runs through March 4, 2006 at all NYPL Branch Library locations.All materials must belong to The New York Public Library, be complete and in satisfactory condition.
The New York Public Library fine rates will increase effective March 5, 2006.
Yes, folks… there is a God… and he works for the library.
You are so damn lucky. But you need to stop doing that. I propose that from now on you tell me when something you took out is due and I’ll remind you.
Comment by Stacey — February 20, 2006 @ 2:53 pm