Problem With Local Library Falsely Accusing Me Of Damage To A Book

[steiconi]

I had the same thing happen; a returned ILL had a spot of blood on it. They did not offer to return it to my local library so I could see it

I had actually read only a couple of pages, then decided the book wasn't for me.
I don't believe I bled on the book without realizing it.

I considered asking for a DNA test to prove it was mine, but instead paid the charge and limited my borrowing to e-books, which return themselves and can't be damaged.

I also stopped volunteering at the library.

[loves2read]

Originally Posted by JOinGA

We really can't know if a person collecting/transporting books would or would not take responsibility for flagging damaged materials. If the amount is really only $15, I would explain that I didn't damage the book, but that I am a supporter of the library and if it would settle the issue, I would be happy to DONATE $15.

Supposing the book went back to the local library from an outside return
People who work in that library would have dealt with checking it in, seeing who had check it out and returned it. IF it was damaged at that point notice would have been taken—the person doing the return would have taken it to someone in higher authority….
There are people in the libraries who do repair books that are damaged—they have equipment for that onsite in most libraries. Having a loose spine or some torn/loose pages can be repaired fairly easily. Water damage is something that is more difficult because it usually leaves a permanent reminder.

But the book would not have been shipped back to the home library that loaned it out if it were damaged—
Red flag to the home library
That is what makes me think it happened in transit
Maybe should have been shipped UPS vs USPS

[jobaba]

You can try a GoFundMe page...

[njrebel1978]

UPDATE: It turns out the initial library who claimed book was completely damaged claimed they made an error and decided to not send the book back to my local library after all and dropped the absurd $29 fine on me. It def seems like they attempted to scam me. Lesson learned....no more interlibrary loans.