Can schools require me to check out a book from a school library and charge late fees

[erbii_]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia
I don't know whether this fits under this thread, but I don't know which else it would fit under. I am attending highschool in Northern Virginia and recently learned that there are late fees on school library books, something that I was previously unaware of. Well, in English they require us to check out book after book from the school library, and I kind of have not returned the majority of them this year. Can the school require me to pay a 10c per day late fee on the books if I did not voluntarily check them out? What if I didn't fill out a form for the library (saying that I would pay a late fee on books, etc.) would I still be required to pay such a fee? Thanks for the help.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia
I don't know whether this fits under this thread, but I don't know which else it would fit under. I am attending highschool in Northern Virginia and recently learned that there are late fees on school library books, something that I was previously unaware of. Well, in English they require us to check out book after book from the school library, and I kind of have not returned the majority of them this year. Can the school require me to pay a 10c per day late fee on the books if I did not voluntarily check them out? What if I didn't fill out a form for the library (saying that I would pay a late fee on books, etc.) would I still be required to pay such a fee? Thanks for the help.

Yes and yes. Why do you not think you are responsible for returning the books? They can also hold your report card and/or prevent you from graduating if you have outstanding fees.

 

[erbii_]

I was really just wondering because I wasn't asked to sign anything nor was I made aware of the fees. Thank you for the help I feel kind of dumb now .

 

[FlyingRon]

High School is not a democracy. They don't need your consent to establish rules that are binding on you.

 

[adjusterjack]

High School is not a democracy. They don't need your consent to establish rules that are binding on you.

Well said, Ron.

 

[HRZ]

I would love to 100% agree.....but just how much leverage a public school can apply for unpaid fees and fines also depends on state law and regs ...and I did not sort thru VA issues.

OP...pay the fines .....pick a different challenge ....

 

[xylene]

As a five year old I understood the concept of library fines... it's kinda central to how libraries work.

 

[Zigner]

As a five year old I understood the concept of library fines... it's kinda central to how libraries work.

I was going to post something similar until I remembered that a fair percentage of kids in high school now may have never even set foot in a library...

 

[ecmst12]

They can stop you from graduating and withhold your diploma until you pay the fines.

 

[FlyingRon]

My kids went to school in Fairfax County, my wife taught school in Fairfax County. Pay your fines. The school is entitled to do so. The only way they are really enjoined is that they can't keep you from your education just because you can't afford to pay.

 

[stealth2]

Fine info is likely in your student handbook, which you would have signed...should've read it...

 

[cbg]

I find it difficult to believe that there is a high school student out there who does not comprehend that first, required reading is legal in every school district and second, that library fines for unreturned books are legal in all 50 states. It matters not why you checked the book out - it only matters that you did.

Are we really raising such a generation of entitled brats that this is a serious question and not a troll?

Yes, OP, I'm talking to you.

 

[stealth2]

You are not required to borrow the book from the school library. You could buy your own copy, borrow it from someone you know, borrow it from the public library (note: they also charge late fines), etc.

P.s. did it ever occur to you how selfish it was of you to not return the book/s was? Other students also needed them.