I owe my library!

well,if they said let them know when you can pay it.get that in writing,or ask if they will take a promisory note.that way you'll have a structured payment.

thanks, i plan on paying at least $25 to $50 this pay and that the rest asap. I just got freaked out when someone said it's stealing, I could go to jail etc. but I was the one who went to them when my dog ate most of the dvds (why they let me take it out while I owed them kind of confuses me.. I would have paid than if I had known)
but i googled this and people really have gone to jail for library fines?!?! that is new and crazy to me.. I am going to call them, make arrangements!

sometimes they won't tell you so the $$$$ accumulates.do as you were going to.that sounds good.

thanks, paul - i only knew it when i fessed up to the broken dvds (they will not accept them unless it is the full set). i also am a little surprised as how much they charge to replace things!! But I called and they said I can even mail in the payments so it seems that as long as the money is coming in, they will not pursue any further action..
I just cannot believe I saw articles of people going to jail for this, is that even true??

in some places.it doesn't shock me,but it had to have been a case where they told them they were not paying.

i spoke with them and they said it is six dvds, five from the case set and to first look to replace them to save me money and if not they accept partial payments.
thanks again paul!

my pleasure.anytime.

People going to jail over $80 WTH! There is no debtors prison. Now a library is under federal law, so I guess they came up with some crap to slap on that $80 for jailtime.

The librarian you spoked too seemed lax, so make sure as Paul stated you get everything in writing. Even speak to the head librarian if you have too.

thanks cool, to be honest i did speak to quite a few people at different branches, too. lol, they basically are urging me to replace these items.. basically it was hinted that fee money goes to the county and they rather have the dvds back. i am still sending in a partial payment, just in case though because they do accept them. their policy is just that i cannot borrow until it is paid.
i was told this fall they are having a food drive where every canned good takes a dollar off fines, i think that's a neat idea :) it has a maximum of $10 but it sounds nice for the community.
I agree the jail thing is crazy, i did not believe it at first because there is no such thing as debtor's prision so i am confused but it seems the people who have gotten this did refuse to pay back (a few openly stole the books to sensor them out of the library, none where around me or in my state though.. to my knowledge). This is scary stuff though!

Well you have nothing to worry about because you did not steal anything intentionally. It was damaged and you are offering to replace the material.

thanks, cool. i am going over there with $50 tonight, i will try to replace them but i really want to start paying down so they know that i am serious about this :)

They can't throw you in jail for a debt. And most libraries won't take any action at all against you. But some do, and I think you should pay (just to set the record straight!) anyway.

I agree that working it out is probably your best bet. The librarians usually want you to be able to read and get books.

Thanks, Kenneth - I am paying it, I love the library - renting movies is great because I am pretty strapped for cash and I miss using my card! :)
However I am pretty sure some have taken serious action but I am sure it is for fraud or something, which would not apply to me anyway. Either way I am bringing money over tonight than will work on it from there. :)

most libraries will ultimately hire a collection agency much in the same way most other civil governments handle their past due accounts

jj, i agree, i made a payment last night and they said eventually they would have done that but first they urge people to return what is missing - and if not to pay it. they said as long as i keep making partial payments, no further action will be taken. :) (and per advice here, I did get this in writing)