Soggy library book dilemma

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 14:58

LOL, I don't normally engage in these types of discussion, but time is on my hands just now.

After reading the most read book thread, I remembered a slight dilemma I have.

I'm a regular borrower from my local Library, have been for 20 years or so.

The other week I managed to let a borrowed book ... Andy Mcnabs, hardbook ver of "Aggressor" drop into the bath while I was taking a well earned soak for my aching back, even after grabbing it quickly, the book was pretty soggy.

I thought I'd dry it out in the airing cupboard where my water boiler is (Nice and warm in there) LOL, now the book is twice its original size and the pages are all warped ... basically the book is ruined.

I now have like a month to fess up to my Library what I've done, just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and what happened?

I realise all UK local Councils own the Library's, and may have different procedures? What I was thinking of doing was buying the exact same title from a very popular online competitor to OcUK (so I cant name them) and the same hardbook title will cost me £9.99 delivered from there, then offering it to the Library when I go back as a one to one compensation ... but knowing red tape, they may want a direct replacement from their source that often cost in the region of £50 for these kind of books?

LOL, don't get me wrong ... I'll take what's coming to me, but as Tight Scots Gits go, I'd want the cheapest route out of this little dilemma, that doesn't worry me in the slightest ... :cool:

LOL.

Geee, I hope Big Bro aint watching this thread

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 15:21

Rich1988 said:
steal the sticker and card from the book and stick it in an identical one, then they check it in and are noooonnnee the wiser cunning plan eh

You know Rich, you are a Man after my own heart. I thought about that, but cant find the thing they scan in the book at all? Hold on, might be in the cover I removed when I thought I'd try drying the book out.

I'll report back if I can find what the library scanners look for ... LOL

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 15:23

MastermindUK said:
Go back to the library, borrow as many of the heaviest hard back books you can find, go home, put them all directly on top of the Andy McNab book and leave them there for as long as possible.

Or you could do the same with a board and some weights.

LOL. I like your style.

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 15:31

Rich1988 said:
yup awesome idea then not only do you have to pay for the book but for the window

Knowing our idiotic Council policys ... this might actually be a cheaper method ... LOL

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 15:35

Belmit said:
Yeah, the five second rule doesn't really apply in this situation does it?

"It's fine." *Dusts off*

LOL ... Brilliant

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 16:50

Tru said:
Sneak into the library at dusk, bind and gag the old lady whos locking up, replace the book, set the place on fire and shoot the old crow on your way out.

It's what McNab would've wanted.

Thats the best suggestion yet.

Love it LOL

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 16:52

vonhelmet said:
Own up, duh. Pay up if they ask you to. It is, after all, your fault.

I know, read my original post.

Just a bit of fun here more than anything else.

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 17:00

LOL

Tell you what I'm going to do, I'll call my Library right now and tell them what happened and report back.

LOL

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 17:28

fatiain said:
How about locking the book in a bank vault, giving the bank instructions that your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson hands the book back to the library. You will be in the papers in 500 years for having the biggest library fine ever.

Brilliant

Anyway. Called our library just now, and yup, there will be a fine ... they cant comment on how much though at this time. and also they (who is they?) will calculate the books worth from age and times it was borrowed ... 8 times borrowed from the ticket number, but I'm offering them an exact new Brand New replacement? Its crazy.

But yup, They wont accept an exact similar substitute bought from me from a cheaper source, they have to go through the proper more expensive channels <----- this kinda outdated stuff is what drags down our once great country IMHO.

Oh well, fun thread, average book, usual red tape nonsense :cool:

Cheers.

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 17:45

kitten_caboodle said:
It is stoopid. I used to get them loads of really cheap hardbacks which they used to love taking off me, but then they couldn't take them anymore. Red tape drives me mad

Thanks Kitten, you are the voice of reason.

But I'll just pay the fine.

Cheers.

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 17:49

Cueball said:
That seems like the best thing to do. It'll also make you feel a damn sight better morally (assuming you have morals, if not, ignore.)

LOL. Wish people wouldent skim through threads.

Mr Bulbous · 2 May 2006 at 19:28

kitten_caboodle said:
who are you again??

No Idea?

What were we talking about in the first place?