Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, May 26, 2006

Library to teen: Your fine is ... $22,840

By AUTUMN GROOMS / La Crosse Tribune

WEST SALEM, Wis. — Adrian Rice admits “Naked Empire” was six days overdue when he returned the book to the Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library.

But even the employee at the library’s checkout desk was surprised when the computer showed Rice’s fine: $22,840.

“Her eyes opened wide,” Rice’s mother, Diana Swim, said Thursday. She said she was told the computer glitch would be taken care of and Rice, 14, need not worry. But Wednesday, the family received notice the fine needed to be resolved or it would be sent to a collection agency. The bill still was $22,840.

The error likely happened when La Crosse County Library merged its computer system with the Winding Rivers Library System Web, a consortium that allows patrons to search for materials at libraries in seven counties, said Judy Jamesson, secretary to the director.

“During that merger, obviously, things happened,” Jamesson said. “I hope people are understanding.”

Rice, meanwhile, was advised he didn’t have to seek full-time employment to pay off his library fine.

Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.