Huge Library Fine

lightningbug

Hi, I have been out of college due to a certified medical issue. I forgot about some library books, and I now owe the library about 100 euro. I always pay my fines. I'm really embarrassed, I honestly just can't afford to pay it. Would the library be able to help me out?

aN.Droid

lightningbug wrote: »

Hi, I have been out of college due to a certified medical issue. I forgot about some library books, and I now owe the library about 100 euro. I always pay my fines. I'm really embarrassed, I honestly just can't afford to pay it. Would the library be able to help me out?

I am sure if you told them your circumstances they would help you out.

Sir Ophiuchus

Agreed. Go in to them and explain the circumstances, maybe bring a copy of a doctor's note if you want to be sure. I'm certain they'll be understanding.

viclemronny

Most important thing is to get the books back to them asap, even if you have to get someone to drop them in. That'll stop the fines from continuing to mount up.

The library are very reasonable. If you explain the issue to them they will significantly decrease the fine. Best of luck, you'll be grand though.

bythewoods

If you show them a med cert they'll drop the fines- I raked up about 50-60€ in fines in November/December because I was sick and there was no problem at alllllll when I went in and explained the situation.

Unshelved

This happens all the time so don't get too stressed about it. If you show us a medical cert that explains your absence and inability to return the books, the fines will be waived.

Hope you're on the mend!

lightningbug

Thanks for all the help. I'll drop them in asap. Worrying over nothing as usual

NavyandBlue

Sorry to highjack the thread slightly but I didn't think the Question merited a new thread. I have just finished fourth year and I have been reminded about the urban legend I have constantly heard throughout the four years that you cannot graduate unless you clear your library fines. But does anyone know exactly what is meant by clearing the fines? Do we have to set our balance at €0.00 or just get it under the magic €10 borrowing threshold?

Gae

I presume you need to clear them completely. But anyway, make sure you sort it out soon, because if you wait for them to tell you, they tack on an extra penalty of €25 or something like that.

Gae

NavyandBlue wrote: »

I have been reminded about the urban legend I have constantly heard throughout the four years that you cannot graduate unless you clear your library fines.

Also, it's not an urban legend.

Unshelved

Definitely not a legend! When you have finished and passed your final year exams, if you haven't paid outstanding Library fines you will receive a letter from the Proctor's Office telling you how much you owe (and it's the entire fine, not less €10), how to pay and by what date the fines must be paid. It will also inform you that unless you settle up you will be unable to graduate. The Proctor's Letter adds another €25 to your fine.

So, you're better off paying the fine as soon as you can. If your fines are more than €15 you can pay online here http://www.tcd.ie/Library/using-library/payment/library-payment.php using a debit or credit card. Otherwise just drop into the Library with the cash.

To the OP: as others have said, always go in and talk to the librarians. Also, a friend donned a clown outfit before to talk to them and was let off his fines - consider this.

Unshelved

Also, a friend donned a clown outfit before to talk to them and was let off his fines - consider this.

Now that's an urban legend. Still do consider it - we could do with a laugh.

We still won't waive your fines though.

Unshelved

Unshelved wrote: »

Now that's an urban legend. Still do consider it - we could do with a laugh.

We still won't waive your fines though.

Nope, I was there with him. Was back in 2004 I think, he ran as 'The Clown' for Ents Officer of the SU one year. He also had library fines at the same time, and dropped in, and was let off specifically because he was in a clown outfit :pac:

lightningbug

Thanks Donal. Perhaps I'll sing a bit of Pagliacci

NavyandBlue

Unshelved wrote: »

Definitely not a legend! When you have finished and passed your final year exams, if you haven't paid outstanding Library fines you will receive a letter from the Proctor's Office telling you how much you owe (and it's the entire fine, not less €10), how to pay and by what date the fines must be paid. It will also inform you that unless you settle up you will be unable to graduate. The Proctor's Letter adds another €25 to your fine.

So, you're better off paying the fine as soon as you can. If your fines are more than €15 you can pay online here http://www.tcd.ie/Library/using-library/payment/library-payment.php using a debit or credit card. Otherwise just drop into the Library with the cash.

Thanks for the info.

Evan93

Hey, have a similar problem but not sick or anything. My online account seems to be not working. By this i mean it won't let me renew any of the books I have out ( they've only been out 2 weeks). I can't get into the library for a few weeks maybe & initially thought I'd be fine by just renewing for the first 8 weeks then heading in ( which is what I usually do). I've emailed the library with no reply, just wondering if anyone else has had somewhat of a similar problem?

lightningbug

Thank you so much to the librarian who cleared my fines.

What did you dress up as?

Lame Lantern

http://www.tcd.ie/Library/using-library/fines.php#SickCertificates

Looks like you're covered!

lightningbug

Thank you for that, I should have read the website. I always look like a deer caught in headlights, thus scary enough, dressing up may have led to a call to security