Forgiving Fines: What's the Most an Overdue Library Book Has Cost You?

At a dime a day, the fine for an overdue book at the Tinley Park Public Library isn't an exorbitant fee for cardholders.

Unless you're a horrible procrastinator (or a really slow reader). If that's the case, then you know those charges can add up after a while.

Thankfully, the library has a heart when it comes to these matters. In more ways than one. For every non-perishable, non-expired food item a person brings in between now and Sunday, Nov. 18, the library will waive a $1 from any of that patron's outstanding fines.

And what will the library do with all those canned goods? Donate them to the Together We Cope food pantry, of course.

This "amnesty" program got me thinking about the library habits of Patch readers:

What's the most an overdue book fine has cost you? What was the title of the book, how long was it overdue and what was the story behind why it was so late?

Share your answers in the comments section. The reader with the most interesting tale of literary tardiness will win Patch tote bag, the perfect way to haul the next batch of books you need to return to the library … on time!

The deadline to post your stories here is 5 p.m. Sunday Nov. 18. That's also the deadline for the library's canned goods-for-late fees offer.

Check out Tinley Park Public Library's listing in Patch's event calendar for more information about this program.

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