Let's talk library fines

I try hard not to rack up library fines. Mostly. It happens sometimes. Like yesterday I returned a pile of books to the library and missed one that was due so right now I have a fine. Then there was the time that I went away for the weekend and didn't realize that I had books due and racked up more library fines than normal and when we tried to return them the drop box was overflowing and we were afraid if we tried to put books in them they'd be stolen.

There are times when I accumulate fines on purpose. This happened a lot in university when I needed a book for a term paper and well, if my due date was a week before the book was due, too bad. I was strapping that book to my body and declaring it Mine. And now and then there are times when I just have a hundred more pages to read so I don't return a book on time. I'll wait an extra day or two to finish it. No biggie right?

Well, it was no biggie at my last library. Sure they charged me my fines, which I paid without complaint and we all got along happily ever after. My current library? Not so much. Fines are more than twice as much as they were at my last one. As for the staff reaction to fines...well...let's just say that they are not so laid back about it. I know that the next time I go to take books out I'll be greeted with, "You have a $.50 fine." *glare*

I could do without the attitude. Yes. I realize my book is late. No, I don't complain about the fines. No, I do not need a lecture on how to renew books online or make my requests "inactive." In case they hadn't noticed, I use the library a lot and 98% of the books I return are on time.

So tell me, do you manage to avoid fines? Do you get attitude when you have fines? Do you think the fines you pay are too much?