Track Your Library Items & Avoid Fines

Track Your Library Items & Avoid Fines.

If you’re ever bored and looking for something to do, the library is a fun place to visit. Not only can you pick up some books to read, but often they also have movies, music, video games, magazines and more.

The library near us has a great kids area with toys, books and a kid-friendly indoor playground. We love to bring Elliott there on rainy days when there’s nothing else to do. It’s a great way to enjoy some family fun – for free.

The library is only fun when it’s free… you need to remember to return your borrowed materials or else you will have to pay fines.

The fines at our local library are as follows:
All Material (except as below) = $0.35/day (Maximum $10.00)
DVDs & Video Games = $1.00/day (Maximum $10.00)

Of course, your fines will likely be different as they vary throughout the country. Check with your local library to be sure. Many locations will have their fines listed online, but if not, you can always give them a quick call to find out.

Most books can be borrowed for around three weeks at many libraries. At our location, movies can only be rented for one week. Again, check with your local library to confirm the length of borrowing.

Write Down Your Due Date(s)

This is the most important step that you can take when trying to remember to return your library materials on time.

Some people use a calendar, some like to stick post-it notes to their computer, some like to set the date into their phones. Wherever you chose to write down your due dates, be sure they are in a spot that you look at at least once a day.

I am always looking at my home management binder at least once a day, so I write down my library due dates in there. My friend likes to put her due dates into her phone, since she sees that several times a day. Do what works for you.

Renew Your Item(s)

If you have not finished reading/watching/listening to your item by the time your due date rolls around, you may be able to renew it. Many libraries offer this option for free online, but some require you to go to your library and renew in person. If you really want to keep the item a bit longer, I would definitely suggest renewing it to avoid paying any late fees.

Just be sure that you get it back to the library before your next due date.

Libraries may not allow you to renew if the item you have is popular and has a lot of people on a waiting list. So don’t expect to take out a new release and then renew it shortly after you borrow it.

My Top 3 Tips For Keeping Track Of Library Materials & Avoiding Fines:

1. Have a dedicated spot for library items. We have a small basket in our living room that houses all of our library books, movies, etc. We never mix these items in with our own because who knows if we would ever find them again.

2. Keep a detailed list of all borrowed items. Right now, we just have a simple list inside the basket that holds our library items. I plan to make up a sheet that can be kept in my home management binder so that this will be easier and more organized.

3. Return items before the due date. Doing this will ensure that your books and other items get back to the library before they are due, so you won’t have to worry about any late fines. When I mark my due dates into my calendar, I make the date a few days earlier than what the actual due date is.

The library can be a fun and enjoyable place to spend time, but it’s important to remember to always return your items on time to avoid those pesky late fees.