Are you singlehandedly supporting your local library when you pay your late fees? Want to find a way to get your checked out materials back on time? This guide is about remembering to return items to the library.
Our library is a small town library with many good programs. They have a program where you can take home 10 books from a paperback shelf. You do not have to return them. They are donated books; you can return all the paperback books on your shelf that you do not want any more. This book shelf is always full. It is divided into three sections: Informational, Mystery, and Romance. They also have a donated magazine section by the front door. I can get all the reading material I want without ever having to worry about returning it.
However, if there is indeed a book or books that I wish to read, or listen to in a series, I have a library bag that I hang on my bedroom door. I put the book in the bag when I am not reading it. I take the bag along if I am going to be reading on the road. When I leave the house to go to the library the bag goes with me.
If for some reason I keep a book too long I can phone the library and renew the book. If all else fails I get a mail reminder.
My three-prong solution has saved me lots of library fees.
By Leila B. from Brookings, OR
Many libraries have a "pre-minder" service. You sign up to receive an email, text message, or automated phone call a few days before your materials are due. At that point you can go online and renew your items. If you are out of renewals, you have a day or two to get to the library before accruing late fees.
By Sharon from Statesboro, GA
To remember to return library books, I would place a bin next to the door. Have a canvas tote in the bin. Place a clipboard by the door. Make a list of all the books when you bring them home and place it on clipboard. Place on that clipboard also, a sheet of paper with the date they are to be returned in red block numbers so the cover the whole page. This way every time you go out the door, you are reminded of that date.
The night before the books are due, take the clipboard with you so you can gather the books, Place books in canvas tote. Place books in car before you go to bed and put sign on clip board saying that the books are due. A sign that says "BOOKS DUE" can be laminated to be used over again.
These steps can also be used to remember things like bills due or anything that needs to be mailed, picked up, or papers from school that need to be signed and returned. You can do this for the children's schoolbags as well. However, keep a clipboard and crate in the children's room. When you go through their bags, you can make a list of all homework, projects, and items needed for project on this list and date in red when these items are due. No more excuses for lost homework or other important papers.
Use can use this method for all projects for home, sewing crafts, etc. Make a list for all needed items, who needs them, and date when there is a deadline. Also how many, colors needed. Now you have your list ready to go.
Here's another use: Make list of groceries, and other shopping lists or errands lists and now you have the clipboard to take with you for the things you need to get done. The night before, collect all items that go from your house to other places and cross items off the list. Now when you go in morning, take tote and clipboard. Now you have everything handy when doing errands. When you get home with purchased items, set up piles for each person to take in color coded baskets for each person, and they are responsible for putting away their items in their rooms.
I started doing this when mom would bring dinner to me or when she needed to use my crock pot and other items. Works well for me. Hope this helps someone.
By cj from Minot, ND
Most libraries allow you to set up an online account. In your account you can review what you have checked out, when it is due back, and you can even renew items. Many libraries will notify you via email when your due dates are approaching, allowing you to avoid overdue fees.
When you take out a book from the library, I always use a bookmark. I write the due date on a post-it note and stick it to the book mark, as I read the book and move the bookmark the date is always right there. If you want you could also use the post-it as the bookmark. I've done that a few times also. Hope it saves you some money!
By Lisee from Bloomfield, NJ
We have a wall hanging appointment calendar in the entry porch. When we come in from the library with a new load of books, we mark the due date and the number of books due on that date. Easy-peasy! I haven't had a fine yet.
By FrugalSunnie from Scotland
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