School Library Fine

Karaboosh

Sorry, I didn't know where else to put this. Hoping someone might be able to help...

My 16 year old daughter has unbeknownst to us had three library books for longer than she should have and we have just received an invoice from the school for £50! That's a lot of money to us and I am reeling as there's no way I wouldn't have reminded her to take them back had I known she had these books.

Do we have a leg to stand on? If we grovel, do you think we can get out of it? Thanks in advance.

swingaloo

I take it that this is a school library rather than a public one. Did they never think to remind her about them whilst she was in school?. If she has now left I would just take the books back and drop them off. They cant charge you for something they have in their possession and they certainly cant fine you in any way.

DullGreyGuy

Does your daughter work or have pocket money? Given its her fine seems a better lesson for her to pay for her wrong doing than be taught to try and weasel out of it

Flugelhorn

Have you got the school policy on charges and how much they charge per day / week etc - does this come to the right amount? 

Half_way

What is the wording of this "invoice" ?

Karaboosh

It's sixth form library so can't just drop off and never return unfortunately! But no, not a public library, the sixth form one.

I shall ask her if she's had reminders.. this is an invoice that has come through to us, I assume to replace the books. I have messaged her and I now have the books to hand so could take them in on Monday but am I/is she wasting her time if this is an invoice, is it enforceable? She hasn't got any funds of her own at the moment so it would be us paying which is so galling! Of course she could repay us but I am just wondering if they can actually force us to pay if we can get the books back to them? I would utterly expect to reimburse for lost books if they had have been lost.

Karaboosh

Flugelhorn said:

Have you got the school policy on charges and how much they charge per day / week etc - does this come to the right amount? 

I have absolutely no recollection whatsoever about school policy on library books. I have parent friends with children at other schools that get informed every time a book is taken out but we didn't. My daughter didn't have to sign anything when she took the books out 

Karaboosh

Half_way said:

What is the wording of this "invoice" ?

I will c/p on here when I get it off my most unhappy spouse!

Flugelhorn

Karaboosh said:

Flugelhorn said:

Have you got the school policy on charges and how much they charge per day / week etc - does this come to the right amount? 

I have absolutely no recollection whatsoever about school policy on library books. I have parent friends with children at other schools that get informed every time a book is taken out but we didn't. My daughter didn't have to sign anything when she took the books out 

yes need the breakdown of the charges - I am sure she didn't have to sign for them but when they are given the tickets / login / access to the library they usually tick / accept that they agree to the fines etc 

teaselMay

It's quite likely that if you return the books the fine will be waved, it should be.

pollypenny

I suspect that she has been reminded, probably a number of times.  The invoice is replacement cost, but also acts as a spur. 

If the books are related to the subjects she's studying they could have been needed by another student.