Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I Am Going to Hell

No, not because I sold my soul so that the Indians would win tonight (GO TRIBE!), but because I have had this book in my possession for four years. Notice the plastic dust cover. Yes, my friends. It's a library book. And right about now I am praying that my mother, Marie and Danielle don't write me off forever for this, because they are lovers of the library, and I have committed a mortal sin.

I have excuses. Plenty of them. 1) I used to live near the Enoch Pratt main library, and now I live inconveniently far away from it. 2) They have horrible parking at the library. 3) It's been four years. 4) Did I mention how far away I am? 5) Okay, I'm embarrassed.

So I am going to return this darn thing... and I'm going to do it in the safest way possible - at the branch closest to my house and in the drop slot so that I don't have to face anyone. They'll get it back to the main branch, right? Do you think they have security cameras on the drop off slots?

I wonder how this will affect the status of my library card.

Not that I've used it...

13 Comments:

Blogger cherylann said...

You could pay retribution by donating some books to the library... or paying your large fee. hahaha. Regarding the Indian's win (to quote Josslyn) "OH NUTS!"

ps- why is your word verification always so hard?

October 17, 2007 2:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You'll probably just get charged for a lost item at this point, seeing how 68 other people could have borrowed it (for 3 weeks) in the time that you've had it. Libraries are a valuable resource. In addition to paying, I'd donate some books for karma.

October 17, 2007 7:43 AM  
Blogger Marie said...

i have a story-not one that i can release to the internet, but remind me the next time i talk to you...it is a good one. involving a librarian :)

October 17, 2007 8:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ooh I have a library store, too. it ends with me no longer being able to set foot in the white marsh library. ouch! i'm still claiming innocence.

October 17, 2007 8:47 AM  
Blogger jwer said...

So was the book any good? I only saw the movie...

October 17, 2007 8:54 AM  
Blogger danielle said...

Wow. Who knew people have so many library stories...

I checked out a book from the Enoch Pratt and could not find it anywhere. I eventually paid for the lost item, because I wanted to be able to check more books out. Then, a year and a half later, I found the book. Of course, I hadn't kept my receipt. So, I then returned the book that I'd lost, paid for, and found 2 years later.

I don't mind paying late fees, I consider it a donation to a good cause.

Have you gone to the Book Thing?

October 17, 2007 1:29 PM  
Blogger danielle said...

Also, I can walk to the library, it's 2 blocks, and always return everything late. At least you have an excuse. :)

October 17, 2007 1:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Family secrets, Marie, should never go beyond the family.....

October 17, 2007 1:54 PM  
Blogger Gaby Hess said...

If it makes you feel any better, I've had a library book in my possession for about 8 years. I'm just going to call it mine now.

October 17, 2007 2:33 PM  
Blogger Cham said...

Why don't you just man-up, go to the library, admit what you did, apologize and then start the negotiation process to redemption. Enoch Pratt has a pretty good computer system regardless of when you place that book in the drop box, they will know it's you.

October 17, 2007 6:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Usually you just have to pay the market value of the book when it was new. That is more fair than it sounds as books cost more now than they did say 2 years ago.

October 17, 2007 10:53 PM  
Blogger Charissa said...

I certainly feel that I owe the library money, but let me be clear - I'm a coward. I have a "good girl complex" that makes me cry when cops pull me over or tear up when I am accused of hurting someone's feelings. That's what is setting in here. I know that they'll know it's me returning the book, and that it will be applied to my membership, of course I do... I am just avoiding the face to face experience of it all.

Like I said... I'm a coward in this situation. I'm completely aware. And I will return the book when no one is looking.

I'll deal with the embarrassment the next time I need the library for something. By that time I won't feel so damn guilty. :)

October 17, 2007 11:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Call the library, tell them you found the book. Ask what you owe, write a check, send it in the mail.
Forget it.
This is way to low on the "sin" list to be bothered about.
Get rid of it.

October 18, 2007 7:16 AM  

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