I know there are some librarians here.

[mrsklamc]

I'm just mortified. I seem to have misplaced a library book. This has NEVER happened to me before. I thought I remembered something about library books being special editions so it's more than just the regular cost of a book to replace. Is that correct?

 

[wiggles02]

It really depends on the library.
Check the website, they usually have a policy posted.
At my library, it is the cost of the book. Just that. And say that you find the book after you've paid for it and still have your receipt and bring the book in, we will refund your money.
Many libraries add a lost book processing fee.
Some books have special binding to make them last longer and they do cost more, but not that much.
Hope that helps

 

[Bren's Mom]

This has happened to me once or twice. I've always called the library and asked them to revew the book for another 14 or 21 days, whatever time it's normally checked out for...that's usually not an issue. And that gives me more time to look without incurring any fines. Chances are you'll find it. Or maybe if you did leave it somewhere it will get turned in.

 

[undertheradar]

Our library charges a mystery price, not the price that may be printed on the book. They then add a shipping and handling fee. My puppy decided that a book from the library was too tempting and destroyed the front 2 pages! Our library charges more because they aren't able to purchase the books from Amazon or B & N. Needless to say I don't care too much for the excessive pricing policy.

 

[mrsw94]

My 2 year old managed to rip up one of his sister's library books recently. Luckily I was able to purchase it from Amazon and bring it in. I don't think they charged me anything extra, but I don't quite remember. I would call or check the website for your local library.

 

[yoopermom]

Don't be mortified, I've been a librarian for umpteen years, and have had my dog eat a library book and my child lose one . Policies really vary from library to library. Generally, what we buy for our library have library bindings, so are more expensive because they're made to last a little longer. Some libraries do tack on processing fees, because it's not just the cost of replacing the book. Some also have minimum pricing (in case you lost a book that was bought years ago, and will be more expensive to replace than originally bought for).

I also recommend renewing it for right now, if you can (can be done online usually, or call them up). Then search *everywhere* (including totally illogical places). If there's even the slightest possibility that you lost it in a public place or that you already returned it, ask the library staff to check the shelves to see if it got returned/put back and not checked in properly. (Or go check yourself.)

Last resort, pay the fee, and hope that it shows up later. Most libraries will refund your $$ after the fact if it shows up in one piece.

No worries!

Terri
da Yooper librarian

 

[Pigeon]

Another librarian here, and I agree with Yooper. Every library has its own policy. Check with your library.

And don't be embarassed. I'm a terrible public library patron. I always have overdue fines, and my dog has eaten several books. I don't mind paying the fees, because my public library is still one of the best entertainment and education values around.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm not a librarian, but I have lost a few library books over the years.

My local library doesn't charge you for the lost book until at least 6 months after it started being overdue. The cost was a little more than buying it at the bookstore, but not ridiculous. And like a previous poster said, my library has a policy that if you keep the receipt and find the book within a year after you pay for it, they will refund your money.

 

[Kitzka]

Our library charges a mystery price, not the price that may be printed on the book. They then add a shipping and handling fee. My puppy decided that a book from the library was too tempting and destroyed the front 2 pages! Our library charges more because they aren't able to purchase the books from Amazon or B & N. Needless to say I don't care too much for the excessive pricing policy.

Just wanted to comment on this. Libraries ARE able to purchase but BN and Amazon, direct from publishers, from independant bookstore whereever. BUT they usually will buy books from a library wholesaler. The books from the wholesaler may cost a bit more but they come to the library ready to put on the shelf. If the library were to buy a copy from BN or Amazon, they have to wait for the book to arrive, then they have to cover the books, re-enforce the spine, enter it into their system, bar code it and then put it on the shelf. it's a lot of man power to do that but they can cut time and work out by purchasing from the wholesaler.

it also gets the books into the hands of the patrons faster. imagine you are dying for the new tom clancy. if you had to wait 10+ days from the release to be the first one to read it would you? maybe but if you could go buy it and you were a big enough fan you might. then the library loses that circ and if their circulation is down then what's to stop your town from cutting the library budget if it looks like people are using it less?

by using the wholesaler if the new tom clancy comes out on tuesday it will be on your library shelf tuesday or wed for you too borrow.

OP-i think its best to check with your library. as others have said every library is different.

Lara

 

[RitaE]

Our library will quote a replacement price and then if you can find a suitable library binding edition for less you are free to go ahead and buy it and bring it in. If Amazon has the library binding in stock it is usually a couple of dollars less.

It's kind of sad that I know this.

Most of their books are library binding but sometimes they have just regular.

 

[simonsmom]

search your car

 

[undertheradar]

Just wanted to comment on this. Libraries ARE able to purchase but BN and Amazon, direct from publishers, from independant bookstore whereever. BUT they usually will buy books from a library wholesaler. The books from the wholesaler may cost a bit more but they come to the library ready to put on the shelf. If the library were to buy a copy from BN or Amazon, they have to wait for the book to arrive, then they have to cover the books, re-enforce the spine, enter it into their system, bar code it and then put it on the shelf. it's a lot of man power to do that but they can cut time and work out by purchasing from the wholesaler.

it also gets the books into the hands of the patrons faster. imagine you are dying for the new tom clancy. if you had to wait 10+ days from the release to be the first one to read it would you? maybe but if you could go buy it and you were a big enough fan you might. then the library loses that circ and if their circulation is down then what's to stop your town from cutting the library budget if it looks like people are using it less?

by using the wholesaler if the new tom clancy comes out on tuesday it will be on your library shelf tuesday or wed for you too borrow.

OP-i think its best to check with your library. as others have said every library is different.

Lara

As others have stated, different libraries have different policies. I was stating what was told to me directly by the librarian at my local library. I questioned the price of the book due to the publisher's price being printed in 2 places on the book. The handling fee was insult to injury as the librarian stated that due to the age of the book in question, they were not going to replace it. As for finding a book that you have paid to replace, our library policy is within 30 days.

 

[dfchelbay]

We were sent a bill for $50.00 for a book that we did, in fact return. I called and told the library it was returned, and they said, until it shows up, we are responsible for the $50.00. Well, the library is going to eat that $50.00 fine. I'll use either DH or DS's library card before I pay a $50.00 fine for an, at best, $10.00 book that was returned in a timely manner.

 

[mrsklamc]

This is from our library's website:

you may provide an approved, new replacement copy of the same item plus a restocking fee of $10.00

So I guess I just have to figure out if they need a re-enforced binding or not.

I really THOUGHT it was in my car but I can't find it there. Going to have DH double check for me.

If I don't find it tonight, tomorrow is dedicated to tearing the house apart. Thanks guys! I wouldn't have thought to check the library's site...don't know why.

 

[rickdeni]

I am a retired librarian. Check with your library as each library has its own policies. We purchased our books from wholesalers but we then processed our own books. Our best sellers were the same books as are sold in all book stores. We did accept same replacements but would not accept book club editions. We did charge a fee to process the book which was for staff time in covering the book and entering it into the computer. Libraries are the best bargain in town even if you have to pay for a lost book.

 

[southern_redhead]

My mother is a school librarian. As another poster stated some books come pre-processed and ready to hit the shelf, that can drive the price up. Also, some books are out of print making replacing them difficult (or impossible) which can add to the price. However, if it a book that is easily obtained they usually just charge market price. My DD spilled water on a Spiderwick hardback and ruined it. We bought one at Books A Million and my mom put it on the shelf. She does that a lot if it is a book she can grab off the shelf of a bookstore.

 

[NotUrsula]

We were sent a bill for $50.00 for a book that we did, in fact return. I called and told the library it was returned, and they said, until it shows up, we are responsible for the $50.00. Well, the library is going to eat that $50.00 fine. I'll use either DH or DS's library card before I pay a $50.00 fine for an, at best, $10.00 book that was returned in a timely manner.

All library automation systems that I know of have an option to let a patron have a mulligan on at least one item, if their district policy lets them allow it. This can go by several names, but it's usually something like "claims returned". In that case, it is noted on your record that you claim that you returned it, and you don't have to pay the replacement fee that one time. Of course, if you make a habit of it, you lose that privilege; most systems have limits on how many of these can be given on one person's account. Doing this is the norm because it's very easy for the staff member scanning in returns to miss one occasionally, especially if they start scanning too fast. Setting the status this way lets the library create a list that can be used to search on a periodic basic in case the item was mis-shelved.

Also, if you are absolutely sure you returned it, you also have the option of going to the library to look for it yourself. Ask the library to give you the barcode number before you start looking; you have to find that particular copy, not just the same title.

My advice for the OP, like that of all the librarians here, is to renew the book as many times as you can while you take your time looking for it. If your child has a school library, you might try looking there as well; lots of school librarians just set those books aside and only return them to the public library at the close of the school year.

PS: Most of the time library bindings are only produced for children's titles and reference books. Most of the items in the adult circulating collections are going to be trade hardbacks. (Not to be confused with Bound-to-Stay-Bound or PermaBound hardbacks; those are actually paperback editions that are stripped and rebound for the library market with hardboard covers. They retain their original size and cover art, so they are kind of an odd hybrid, most popular in genre categories. These are a bit notorious for having pages fall out, because the text block is still a mass-market paperback, and those have margins too narrow to allow them to be really securely glued.)

 

[Pigeon]

Just wanted to comment on this. Libraries ARE able to purchase but BN and Amazon, direct from publishers, from independant bookstore whereever. BUT they usually will buy books from a library wholesaler. The books from the wholesaler may cost a bit more but they come to the library ready to put on the shelf. If the library were to buy a copy from BN or Amazon, they have to wait for the book to arrive, then they have to cover the books, re-enforce the spine, enter it into their system, bar code it and then put it on the shelf. it's a lot of man power to do that but they can cut time and work out by purchasing from the wholesaler.

This depends on the library. Where I work, there are state regulations that block us from buying from a lot of vendors.

 

[mrsklamc]

We were sent a bill for $50.00 for a book that we did, in fact return. I called and told the library it was returned, and they said, until it shows up, we are responsible for the $50.00. Well, the library is going to eat that $50.00 fine. I'll use either DH or DS's library card before I pay a $50.00 fine for an, at best, $10.00 book that was returned in a timely manner.

I read an article sometime in the last year that in these tough economic times some libraries are sending collection companies after people! I certainly don't think you should pay if you returned it but maybe keep an eye on your credit report?

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

DS lost a book and I was mortified...we renewed it online. We searched the whole house. We knew that in about a week DS was going to go into the library state the book was lost and bring his wallet!

Then I was putting down the seats in my van and taking out the captains chairs so I could fill the van with cases of GS cookies and I notices a shadow under the drivers seat - Yup the book!

He has NEVER not put a book in the library book place in the house since.

Moral of the story - look under couches, inbetween cushions under beds, in the mail pile etc.

Good luck!