Appreciation post for the library that made me quit buying books

I walked into my local library 3 months ago to grab one book and ended up borrowing 8. The change was instant - I went from spending $40 a week on new books to zero, and my apartment stopped looking like a bookstore exploded. What really got me was realizing I used to buy books just to feel like I was learning stuff, not to actually read them. The library forced me to read within a 2 week window or pay fines, which weirdly made me finish things. Has anyone else had that moment where a free service made you rethink your whole spending habit?

3 comments

3 Comments

michael6691mo ago

Did your library actually fine you though? A buddy of mine started using the library last year and he said they waived his late fees when he brought the books back and apologized.

ellioth371mo ago

Yeah they absolutely did fine me. I brought back a DVD that was like two weeks late and they charged me $6 right at the counter. I didn't argue because I kind of deserved it but it was still annoying. Your buddy got lucky if they waived everything, sounds like his library was pretty chill about it. My library is in a small town and the head librarian is this older lady who runs it like she's the mayor of the place. She doesn't bend rules for anyone, I've seen her turn down a kid who had a 50 cent fine for a Dr. Seuss book. So I guess it really depends on who's working and what kind of mood they're in that day.

the_jennifer1mo ago

Most libraries actually stopped charging late fees during COVID and never brought them back. Mine switched to a system where they just block your card if stuff is super overdue, no money involved. You could probably walk in with books from three years ago and they'd just take them, no questions asked. If they do try to hit you with fines, ask nicely about a one-time waiver especially if you say you're a new patron. Librarians have a lot of discretion on this stuff and most of them hate charging late fees anyway. Just don't be a jerk about it and you'll probably be fine.