Greeting, Readers. This past summer I was at an event where a man was handing out the most incredible coupon I had ever seen. It was a “Library Savings Coupon” for 50 cents off any overdue item. Initially, I had visions of grabbing the man’s entire stash of coupons and running away, but instead I happily thanked him and tucked my one coupon in a safe place.

The reason for my excitement was that although I have always been obsessively on time for everything in my life, I can’t seem to return library materials until they’re embarrassingly overdue. One time, while home from college, I went to check out a book from my local library. When I gave my card to the librarian, she stood over me with disapproving eyes and said, “You can’t check out books here until you pay your fine.”

Apparently, I had somehow never paid a fine from my 1976 check-out of the ever popular book “I Want to be a Nurse.” After I paid my two dollars, I was once again in good standing with the library.

A few years later, while working as a teacher, I checked out a “Helen Keller” video for the third grade. And although checking out a movie from the library was free, forgetting that the video was in the trunk of my car for two and a half weeks wasn’t. I ended up paying a hefty fine even after trying to convince them that there probably wasn’t anyone else waiting to watch Melissa Gilbert and Patty Duke, since the last person to check out the movie was me, one year earlier.

Even when I don’t go to the library, I somehow wind up with fines. My husband brought home a book that I had on hold for a class I was taking, but he forgot to tell me he picked it up. A few weeks later, I received an overdue notice for a book that no one else had checked out in nine years. As I pleaded my case with the librarians, I wondered… What types of excuses do other people give when dealing with overdue books? If I had a really good excuse, would they wave the fine? And, when is Amnesty Day?

To answer these questions and more, I called Steven Territo, Head of Patron Services at the Vernon Area Public Library. Steven told me that approximately 63-64 items become overdue each day, which is about 2.9% of all materials out per day.

According to Steven, the two most common excuses for turning in something late is that a patron simply hasn’t finished what he or she has checked out and just wants to finish it or the item was under the seat in the car.

As far as more memorable reasons for overdue materials, Mr. Territo had quite a few. “We frequently have books falling out of cars.” People also leave their books on airplanes, in hotels and even Alaskan cruise ships. “When that happens, the patron usually lets us know. If there is no one else on the waiting list, we just keep renewing the item until it is sent back and waive the charges.”

The most outlandish excuse Steven has heard? “It’s raining and I just got my hair done, so I could not return the item.” Also, one person brought in his VCR to show the staff that the overdue video was caught in the machine.

The most-overdue book came recently when someone anonymously dropped off a book last stamped in 1986. Although it was not in the computer anymore, it was still in good condition and is now back in circulation.

Although all age groups and both genders equally rack up fines on library items, many blame family members as to why their materials are overdue. “If there is a good excuse, I really try to give patrons the benefit of the doubt, like if they were sick or out of town, etc. As long as it’s legitimate,” shares Territo. “I know that’s what I’d want.”

Vernon Area Public Library has also made a point to listen to their patrons’ ideas by using focus groups. “We have a really responsible community,” says Steven. “Whenever we have a suggestion, we try to do it.” One such suggestion was for patrons to receive email reminders two days before an item is due.

Once returned, many books include interesting bookmarks that patrons have left inside. Some examples are a cigarette lighter, band-aids (new and used), tissue (new and used) post cards, a check for more than $800, money for fines, a patron’s critique of the book, and my favorite-a cracker.

So what ever happened to my “Library Savings Coupon?” Well, after weeks of searching, I found it squished in the bottom of my summer purse. Of course, it had expired. Hmm… Maybe I’ll just say I left my materials on my Alaskan cruise.

By the way, Amnesty Day, which is called Food for Fines, will be held in January. Each non-perishable item you bring to the Vernon Area Public Library equals one dollar in fines. All donations benefit the Vernon Township Food Pantry.

Until next time, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

© 2005 Susan Dubin, Buffalo Grove, Illinois