A graduate student at Binghamton University recently took to TikTok to share a startling revelation about the mountain of library fees she had accumulated while diligently working on her dissertation. Hannah, the graduate student in question, was left horrified when she discovered that her library fines had skyrocketed to an astonishing $12,000. Her predicament stemmed from her unintentional “hoarding” of 119 books, which she needed to complete her studies.
Over the course of several years, Hannah unknowingly amassed a staggering $11,900 in library fines from her university. Despite the alarming amount, she fervently insisted that she was actively utilizing the books and had every intention of returning them once her academic journey at Binghamton University concluded.
To provide evidence of her predicament, Hannah shared a screenshot of the message she received from the school librarian, demanding payment for the outstanding fines. Additionally, she displayed a photo revealing the towering stacks of library books scattered throughout her house.
In the email notification, the library clarified that Hannah’s substantial debt was due to the books being classified as “lost” in their system after 30 days of being overdue. Consequently, each lost book incurred a flat rate fine of $100, which led to her astounding overall balance.
The library emphasized that it is the responsibility of patrons to renew borrowed books if they wish to retain them for an extended period. They even send weekly reminders to help minimize the accumulation of fines. However, according to their records, Hannah had received overdue notices at various intervals, prompting her to renew the books before they were declared lost.
Hannah shared glimpses of her apartment filled with the towering book stacks in her TikTok video, reassuring viewers that the books were not truly lost but rather held hostage until she completed her dissertation. Despite possessing the books for an extended period, she adamantly claimed that she had not stolen them, as they were still in active use.
One viewer expressed disbelief, exclaiming that retaining library books past their due date could be considered theft. Hannah humbly responded, acknowledging the lesson she had learned from this experience.
Curiosity piqued among the audience as they sought to understand how Hannah’s situation had spiraled out of control. In response, she admitted that renewing the books had been on her to-do list but had unfortunately fallen to the bottom due to its seemingly trivial nature. The demanding workload of her graduate studies had overwhelmed her, leading to procrastination on smaller tasks.
A concerned individual pointed out that by holding onto the books, Hannah potentially hindered others from accessing them, particularly those on waiting lists. Hannah promptly addressed this concern by explaining that the books could still be requested by patrons, which would trigger a return notice for her. Surprisingly, she revealed that no one had expressed interest in borrowing them.
Fortunately, Hannah managed to resolve the issue by renewing the books and paying a more reasonable fee of $20. A sigh of relief escaped her as she expressed her gratitude for the resolution.
As we reflect on this extraordinary tale, it serves as a reminder of the importance of timely book renewals and responsible borrowing. It is a story that showcases the impact that small tasks can have when neglected and the unintended consequences that can arise. Let us all learn from Hannah’s experience and ensure we fulfill our obligations, allowing others to benefit from the vast knowledge housed within the libraries of our educational institutions.
