Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-11-27
LIBRARY FINES ARE LARGE.
Delay In Returning Books n Source
Of Considerable Income to
City Institution.

DO you ever forget your library book
until the two-week limit has expired
and then have to pay fine for the de-
lay? # so you are not the only care
less person in the city Last year there
were enough like you to make the fines
tn. the public library amount to ST.
G27.06. The individual amounts varied
from three cents to over a dollar, says
the Chicago Tribune.
Il want to renew my book said q
small boy the other day.
Twelve cents fine said the young
woman at the desk, after complying
with his wants. The boys jaw
dropped.
but I couldn't get down the other
day" he protested, land yesterday was
holiday. that oughtn't to count, and
father says 1t was due on Saturday"
The young woman took out her cal
endar and proved that Friday was the
day on which the book was due.
Haven't you the money with you?"
she asked
NO, was the shame-faced answer.
We'll, take 1t and pay next time
Many believe as this youngster and
his father did that the time limit is
two weeks and a day, whereas the
book is due on the last day of the two
weeks. Their fine is therefore the min
imum Of three cents, but they dislike
to pay it just the same. Others imag-
Inc also that renewing book after the
time has expired takes away the fine.
and are greatly vexed and often leave
the book when they find renewal does
not excuse
Not one person in a thousand pays
fine courteously, and the young wo-
men whose business it is to take these
fines, has a discouraging view of hui
man nature.
Not long ago young woman whose
book was overdue claimed that she had
paid her fine and told her guaranta1
so. He wrote into the library suggest
ing that a record of all fines be kept
to prevent such Misunderstanding
When he was assured that such a rec
ord existed and that the disputed fine
was entered in it he paid the money
with an apology.
1t is difficult to say whether people
hate to be fined because it is form OF
punishment, because the money seems
SO unprofitably spent or because OF
hates little expenditures worse thar
big ones. zt sselssss
Women are most apt to make ex-
cuses. They have SO many reasons
why they were unable. to come down
before ELLEN was sick,"' or cit was
the girls day out In the end. OF
course, they pay, but more grudging.
ly than men. The number of men fined
is about equal, though it is claimed IL
their justification that they are often
paying for wives and sisters Men are
prone to argument on the subject c1
rights and wrongs of fines. So dear tc
some Of them is this freedom of speech
that they will use S. worth Of time In
contesting a six-cent fine and-pay II
In the end! A'.'5ff 8 a. 7,
Fines are quite distinct from dam.
ages or losses. II book IL misplaced
and finally lost the fine and the cost q
the book both must be paid. Should
notice be given Immediately when .
book disappears time limit for search
is allowed. Should the missing boob
be paid for and afterwards be found
the money is refunded. Even when 6
fine exceeds the price Of a volume Il
has to be settled.
| BY dividing it appears that 81,
years delay are paid in one year, OF
| a little less than two years every day
What wonderful people some of III
might be If we could gather all OF thai
| wasted time!