~damaged goods~

We go to the library weekly.

A few weeks ago I check out this book:

Sewing Bits and Pieces.

It was alright. 

There were a couple cute projects in there I was

going to attempt (owl bookends being one of them).

I had the book sitting on my table, waiting to

copy the patterns onto tracing paper

when I spilled a little tiny bit of coffee.

The coffee got on the very bottom of a few

of the last pages in the book and a little on the back cover.

I let it dry....it's not too bad.

It was obvious that it had MINIMAL damage but

most definitely still usable.

I return it to the library, expecting to be charged

a fine because of this but boy am I shocked 

to see what the fine is......

$21.99!

GIVE ME A BREAK!

Assuming that this was a typo or something,

I go into the library yesterday and ask them about it.

They have the book set aside and bring it out.

I see it EXACTLY as I have returned it.....

MINIMAL WATER DAMAGE in the back.

I explain to her that there is no denying I have

damaged the book but the fine seems outrageous

for what little damage has been done.

She explains to me that the book is unusable now.

(In who's world?)

She says to me, "Would you want to check a book

out that was in this condition?"

My response, "Uh yes....and as a matter of fact, I have 

many times from this very library. I have

actually checked out books that were in far

worse condition than that one."

I asked her if I could dispute or appeal the charge

and she said no. AND....if I don't pay it in 30 days,

I get sent to collections.

The encounter was a friendly one....I had decided

before I went in that I would just have to be

OK with whatever the outcome was. I didn't 

want my day to get ruined over $20.

So-looks like next week I will be going into the 

library, paying a ridiculous fine......

and walking out of there the new pissed proud 

owner of this book.

Moral of the story.....

NEVER spill even a drop of liquid on your library book!

I'll think twice before reading while in the bathtub again too.