According to the website Lowering the Bar  President George Washington has been accused by a New York Library for failing to return valuable library materials checked out during his presidency. It seems the former President  took out two books on in October of 1789, one  on international law and another that contained transcripts of debates in Britain’s House of Commons.  The books were due back November 2, 1789.  If it’s found to be true, that neither book was ever returned this would mean that , setting aside the value of the items themselves, and adjusting for inflation, Washington currently owes about $100,000 in late fees.

Source: boingboing

Read more Lowering the Bar

The post Does George Washington – Owes Library Fines, about $100,000 in Late Fees? first appeared on River View Observer.

Monday, December 7 – Saturday, December 12, 2009

 Monday, December 14 – Saturday, December 19, 2009

 Feeling that pinch, from lack of funds? In mid-December, the Jersey City Free Public Library will offer a break in the form of Fine Amnesty to all Library users.   

For only two weeks – Monday, December 7^th through Saturday, December 12^th AND Monday, December 14^th through Saturday, December 19^th  – all fees and fines will be forgiven when the library system receives all library books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and other library materials.

            “We recognize the money squeeze everyone is feeling these days, so we’ve created this two-week amnesty period for our loyal patrons to get some relief,” said Assistant Library Director Sonia Araujo, who is coordinating this effort. “Offering Fine Amnesty first is the best solution we know, in the face of needing to raise fees because of budget cuts.”

Valid Jersey City library card users can take their library materials to all departments at the Main Library, and any of the 11 branches and the Bookmobile the weeks of December 7^th and December 14^th without being charged the appropriate fees and fines during Fine Amnesty weeks. After those two amnesty weeks,

the following Fines/Fees will be in effect on Monday, January 4, 2010:

 

Books/Late Fees         CHANGE       FROM              TO

Overdue books                                                 $0.10              $0.20

 

Videos                         CHANGE       FROM              TO

 To rent                                                            $1.50              $2.00

 Late Fees stay the same                                             $1.00

 Educational videos stay the same                     Free

 

Copy Machines           CHANGE       FROM               TO

Copies                                                 $0.10              $0.20

The post Library Gives Patrons 2 Weeks in December for Fine Amnesty first appeared on River View Observer.