To avoid library fines, return books on time. A loophole involves keeping books past their due date, then claiming to have returned them earlier. This only works in libraries with direct access to stacks. Libraries could prevent this by checking patrons’ bags for late books.
The easiest and most appropriate way to avoid library fines is to return books on time. There is a simple trick, however, that allows a user to return books past their expiration date without being fined.
DISCLAIMER: We do not endorse this technique, we are simply presenting it as a security flaw that libraries should consider.
Steps:
Consult the books in the library.
Keep books past their expiration date.
Receive an alert (email or phone call) that books are late.
Take the books back to the library, but don’t put them in the safety deposit box; put them back in the appropriate place.
In the same library visit, you can go to the librarian and tell them that you received a late notice, but returned them earlier. They will probably check the computer and see that they have not been returned. You can then suggest that they may have been misplaced without being scanned. A trip to the shelves will prove you right. You can also do this step over the phone.
(Optional but highly recommended) Donate any money you have saved to the library.
This technique will only work on libraries that allow users to access stacks directly.
How libraries could block this technique this
Libraries could easily prevent this technique from being successful by checking the purses of patrons entering the library. Some libraries already do this for security reasons, but most don’t. If they notice a late book being brought in, they could confiscate it at the desk and collect the fine.
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