Reader here! Are you a bookworm like me?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved the library.
Growing up, I spent hours in the library at Conquest School and Outlook High School, soaking up the atmosphere of being surrounded by knowledge.
Whether it was reading the daily Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, poring over the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, reading articles in encyclopedias, or losing myself in a great piece of fiction, the library has always been a safe space for me.
Even the smell of old books puts a smile on my face.
As I got older, libraries changed over time, and you could sign out CD’s and movies too, adding another dimension to the library experience.
Living in both Saskatoon and Yorkton over the years, I’d add to my music collection over the years, by ripping CD’s onto my laptop, and adding new tunes to my iPod!
But, even though I love the library, I haven’t spent much time there over the years.
Part of it is because I’ve been busy with a lot of other things going on.
But the biggest reason, is that I’ve had outstanding overdue fees, that I’ve constantly forgotten to stop in and pay.
And it wasn’t just a couple of bucks.
Since around 2013, I had about $25 or $26 in late fees that I owed.
It wasn’t that I was ignoring them. They just slipped my mind. And over the years, we’ve become a plastic-based society, and I’ve gotten out of the habit of carrying cash on me.
But, yesterday, I actually had the cash on hand, and I strolled into the library, ready to pay off my debt.
And guess what happened?
I guess the statute of limitations must’ve run out, because the kind folks at the library wiped off my overdue fees, and I didn’t have to pay!
Now, friends, I don’t recommend waiting over a decade to pay off overdue fees. It wasn’t intentional – I was negligent, and it was totally my fault.
But, I got a lucky break, and now I can use the library again.
I even got myself a shiny new library card!
Now, I can use the library again, but you can bet that the first thing I did when I took out a book yesterday was to check the due date.
I’ve learned my lesson!
And don’t worry… I don’t wreak havoc in the library like our old pal Mr. Bean…
