As of: March 6, 2024, 4:36 p.m
By: Sven Trautwein
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It can happen that you return a book to the library too late.
As a rule, there is a risk of a penalty fee.
However, in America it is possible to show a photo of an animal instead.
It is not unusual to miss the deadline at the library when reading exciting novels or crime novels.
If the reminder ends up in the mailbox, a small penalty fee is due for each title borrowed when it is returned.
A book that was recently returned after 56 years would theoretically have cost around 5,100 euros in fees.
However, the library staff were lenient.
In the US state of Massachusetts it is even possible to avoid the fine by showing a photo of a cat.
Cat photo saves library fines
A library in the US state of Massachusetts does not waive fines for showing a photo of an animal.
(Symbolic image) © Oksana Lyskova/Pond5 Images/Imago
The pandemic has hit libraries hard.
In order to attract new audiences and bring back old customers, some libraries became inventive and proclaimed March “Cat Month”.
According to
the New York Times,
it was less about cat events like the screening of "Cats" and more about how to get rid of fines for late returned media.
The Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts came up with a creative solution: cat photos.
Only customers who presented a cat photo had their fines waived.
The library's website says how to get rid of the fees: “Show us a picture of your cat, a famous cat, a picture you drew of a cat, a shelter cat – any cat, and we will forgive WPL fees on your library account.” So it also works with a photo of “a famous cat” or “any cat” to get the fees waived.
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Cat photo is not a free ticket
If you don't have a cat photo to show, you have the option of drawing a picture on site.
For example, a 7-year-old boy drew a picture of a cat so he could reactivate his library card.
The library's executive director admitted to the
New York Times
that collecting fines was not only complicated but also counterproductive.
Many people lost some books during the pandemic or when moving.
A good reason to restart and make the library a community experience again in which everyone feels comfortable.
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However, the director emphasized to the
New York Times
that a cat photo is not a free pass.
According to library regulations, books and items that have recently been borrowed and can no longer be found must be completely replaced.
The Worcester Public Library reports that more than 400 people submitted cat photos.
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