A very odd library problem

Anonymouse · 08-10-2010, 11:25

I recently got a letter from the library about an overdue book (Metal Swarm, book 6 of Kevin J. Anderson's Saga of Seven Suns).

Now that the library's updated their system, to borrow a book you just hold your SmartCard up to a scanner, it reads the card, then you scan the book's barcode in and it prints a receipt. The salient point here is that there's no room for human error as it's just reading the tag and the barcode, no-one's manually entering data.

Here's the problem: I never borrowed the book.

Not only that, but I would never borrow it - because I bought the damn thing on Amazon, as well as books 2 - 5 and 7 (I'd got the first from Waterstones and decided to buy the rest), last year. Who borrows a library book they already own?

The really odd thing, as the assistant I talked to pointed out, was that I did borrow a book on the same day (different author, and I returned it 2 days later) and it's the sort of book I read and might well borrow. But I didn't.

How the hell did this happen? And how can I prove I didn't borrow the book? It's not even a question of paying the fine, because then they're going to ask, "Well, where's the book, then?" and the only answer I can possibly give is "I have no idea!".

Help!

Peter_ · 08-10-2010, 11:39

I went to my local library a couple of months ago as I had nothing to read and as I took out my chosen book the library assistant said you have an outstanding book.

I looked at her in surprise and said what book, she said it was "Learn yourself Polish conversation" and that it had been out for 18 months, which in itself was strange as I had not had a book for at least 2 years from there and I know no one who is Polish.

She said it must be a glitch on the system, but this has happened a few times over the years and each time they blame a glitch.

I wonder why I hardly go there any more.

Angua · 08-10-2010, 15:26

The number of times we have turned the house upside down looking for a book we know has been returned, only to find it on the shelf in the library not checked back in properly.

At least now we can check online and then look in the library if there is an oddity.

fireman328 · 12-10-2010, 20:48

I hope all those miners have really good stories for telling to the wives when they get out off the pub.

bopdude · 12-10-2010, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman328

I hope all those miners have really good stories for telling to the wives when they get out off the pub.

At least they haven't had to read some of the drivel on here in the last 4 - 6 months.

Hom3r · 12-10-2010, 22:00

My local library has a self service checkout / checkin system (via RFIDs).

You scan your library card in, enter you password, then place your books on the marked pad. It then displays all the books you are taking out, any that have not displayed can be added quite simply. After this you get a receipt.

Return books is done the same way, but with no need for you card.