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The Irony Of It All
Brad Hollerbach

Why Did The Library Have $2700 On Hand?

Posted Thursday, July 9, 2009, at 1:00 AM

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  • $2,700 is alot of money. This would probably take care of one weeks worth of rent from the business down at the airport that is a tad behind on payments to the city.

    -- Posted by gman on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 6:14 AM
  • Great story. I too continue to be amazed at the incompetence and/or lack of common sense in people. Especially those in positons of authority. Since I read somewhere that the average library fine is less than a buck, this represents a load of overdue books.

    I hope your story prompts someone to do something. It is not a great deal of money compared to the waste inherent in our government, but it is a place to start.

    -- Posted by ParkerDaws on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 7:37 AM
  • The story that appeared in the paper this morning (and now presumably on the website) indicates that the library has now installed a floor safe.

    I guess I'm of the opinion that if you steal from me once, shame on you, but if you steal from me twice (or three times or four times or whatever) then shame on me.

    I don't know what the average fine is at the library, but overdue books are 10 cents a day and overdue videos are a $1.

    Thanks for reading.

    -- Posted by Brad_Hollerbach on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 8:34 AM
  • This is a simple case of fiscal negligence. In the real world (non-government supported entities), the person in charge would be required to pay back the money or be terminated. The library board must demand accountability.

    -- Posted by Jones on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 8:46 AM
  • While the decision to build the library is a whole other matter, I agree with you Just_Me.

    I never understood the logic of essentially tearing the other library down and rebuilding the new one at the same location, while we have gobs of available buildings already in the market laying fallow. There were cheaper solutions. Just Dumb.

    And isn't the location on Clark Avenue in a flood plain or is it just **** close? That decision made no sense to me either.

    TFR

    -- Posted by Brad_Hollerbach on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 11:08 AM
  • Since they don't make regular deposits and keep cash around. And judging by the round number of $2700 over several burgalaries. I assume that if they opted to keep all this cash around that they would count it at open and close every day and record all income and expenses.

    It sounds like an inside job to me that is being covered up. Who break into the library stealing cash in the middle of the night? There's more valuable loot available which your standard thief would go for.

    By the way, does anybody know how much the library collects in fines annually?

    -- Posted by interesting on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 1:50 PM
  • That's a good question about the fines, Interesting. I would like to know that myself.

    The library doesn't have too many revenue streams. Somebody, somewhere should have a record of how much this is. Or does it just disappear into a slush fund?

    I've mentioned this to the newsroom. Hopefully, they will do a follow up story discussing how they have rectified these problems in the future.

    Thanks for reading.

    -- Posted by Brad_Hollerbach on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 2:30 PM
  • Perhaps, they've hidden the floor safe under a rug or something, Me'Lange. I still like the idea of stashing the money in a carved-out book in plain sight. They have done used book sales in the past although I haven't noticed any advertised lately.

    Thanks for reading.

    -- Posted by Brad_Hollerbach on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 3:41 PM
  • Circulation Policy

    Most materials circulate for 21 days. Exceptions include:

    3 days--audio/visual equipment

    7 days--videos and DVD's

    7 days--current holiday books, books with more than 3 holds per copy, St. Louis Art museum touch kits and magazines.

    Renewals

    Most materials may be renewed twice; either in person or by phone. Videos, DVD's and A/V equipment may be renewed once. Materials with hold requests, educational software and holiday books may not be renewed. Please have your library card number ready when renewing or placing holds by phone.

    Fines

    Fines are calculated per day/per item. The itemization is as follows:

    Most materials--$.10

    DVD's--$1.00

    Audio/Visual Equipment--$5.00

    Replacement library cards--$1.00

    -- Posted by interesting on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 3:49 PM
  • Thanks Interesting for that info. Looks like the fines could add up to a substantial amount of money over the course of a year.

    TFR

    -- Posted by Brad_Hollerbach on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 4:17 PM
  • a safe in the floor won't do any good if it is an inside job.

    But I too do not go to this library and never will, they didn't need our tax money, they culd have raised their fines and come up with the money on their own

    -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 4:28 PM
  • Aw, Brad ... I still do that ... 'hide money' ... ~blushing~ ... Think it's a kind of psychological thing that insprires some to actually save.

    Has anyone at the library explained why they felt the need to 'hide money,' rather than stashing it away in, say, a bank? And why go to the (taxpayer) expense of installing a floor safe instead of dropping a bank bag into a bank's deposit drawer?

    Anyway ... clever blog article.

    -- Posted by gurusmom on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 2:41 PM