This Could Happen to You (Buwahahahaha)

I hasten to note that this probably won't happen to you specifically--unless you've been playing fast and loose with the lending policies of your library (and you haven't . . . have you?)--but it could.

Wisconsin Woman Arrested, Booked Over Library Fines

I think I speak for all librarians when I say, yes, I know the 30 day lending limit just is not enough for some busy people, the fines are minor (in the beginning anyway) and returning books to the library is rarely at the top of anyone's to-do list.  But--still speaking for librarians everywhere--I can also say, do you know how much money, time, energy and patience a flood of unreturned books costs? Any idea? How about thousands of dollars of materials and labor, hours of cataloging, and screwed up library budgets?  Not to mention the immense self control required to put up with the infantile whining of obnoxious patrons/students/researchers/etc, who insist that the fines are "wrong" (or "not theirs")?

My advice is simple and time-tested. Return the books on time. Pay your fines when they're small. (But you knew that.)  And, please come again.