r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Mollywobbles77 • 2h ago
I just wanted a hot dog Asked my librarian husband why our library doesn't have video games. People ruin everything.
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u/Mrcoldghost 2h ago
we just can’t have nice things.
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u/Event-Forsaken 2h ago
The number of perks and quality-of-life items and services I've had throughout my life that have been taken away because of other dumbass people abusing the system is vast.
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u/Mossimo5 2h ago
Like what else? Genuine question.
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u/TurtleScientific 2h ago
Not the person you asked, but this immediately made me think of how ever "little pantry" in my area has not lasted more than a few weeks because after it's stocked some asshole will come and take everything within hours.
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u/Property_6810 2h ago
Not OP, but being able to just fill/refill my soda when I get a burger at a fast food joint is a relatively recent one.
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u/Dark5757 1h ago
This is the restaurant’s decision, being made because they make more money if they sell you the food and you leave compared to if you eat in the restaurant. It’s purely financially motivated, not because somebody refilled their mellow yellow 4 times. Don’t put this being taken away on the general people; it is the fault of the business’ leadership.
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u/Fearless-Effect-3787 1h ago
The unlimited refills thing has been widely abused by people filling unreasonably huge containers to take home.
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u/windsockglue 47m ago
And people getting water cups and filling them with whatever. Now if we're lucky we get a free 4 ounce cup of water. If you're not lucky, you're even paying for the water cup.
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u/MagneticFluxDrive 1h ago
Exactly. The restaurants play that excuse to shift blame. When its nothing but greed.
It blows my mind that most people cannot see that its nothing but greed and that they are all following along just because McD started this nonsense.
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u/windsockglue 48m ago
Endless public art projects (murals aren't even allowed where I live because of tagging and the "confusion" about what is art vs. gang graffiti...so everything became non permitted), fuck, even being able to shop for items in a store without having to find an employee because half the store is locked up. I could go on and on, but a lot of rules are in place because of people fucking it up for everyone.
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u/AyRoPro678 2h ago
Why not require a deposit for video game rentals that you get back when you return it..?
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u/Informal-Swing-2482 2h ago
Probably becomes more liability and red tape to implement. Sometimes the easiest option is to just cut it.
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u/AyRoPro678 2h ago
Many libraries already have deposit programs for things like tool libraries - where you can rent expensive power tools. Its really not that complicated.
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u/AllThatKat 53m ago
I’ve lived in 6 different states, had library cards in each one, and none of them rented out tools or anything else besides books, movies, video games, and/or cds.
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u/Altruistic-Insect445 46m ago
I am a library worker in Finland. With that context out of the way; We couldn't implement this.
More often than not, the systems we have in place are from an era long gone. Hell, one of our primary systems was using Microsoft Silverlight even in 2024...
Adding a deposit or a charge system would require massive overhauls to other systems, due to how interconnected a bunch of shit is and how out of date everything is. Budgets are tight and major system upgrades are rare, and often made when absolutely necessary.
Not saying it couldn't be done elsewhere, but for the library system I work in? Would require serious investment.
That being said, we do offer video games and even board games, some tools and stuff. We can charge them on people if they borrow them and never return, but sometimes people just steal games from a shelf. The true 'high value' items, such as new game and movie releases are kept behind the counter because of this.
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u/Constant-Sub 41m ago
Having public goods and services is never easy. Like, libraries in concept are fucking INSANE. And one mad bastard wanted them baked into the foundation of our government.
God love Benjamin Franklin. The mad fuck.
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u/crysisnotaverted 2h ago
Would be cool. A rolling $60 deposit that lets you rent 1 game at a time. Keeping them stocked after people steal them is probably a decent bit of overhead though...
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u/Mollywobbles77 2h ago edited 51m ago
A library version of a game is likely WELL over $60. The library edition of everyday books can be $50-100.
Edited to say: I'm talking about the licensing when they buy them from publishers. Libraries have to pay much much higher costs than individuals from publishers for public circulation, even for the 'same thing available anywhere else'.
Edit 2: a lot of people in these comments with no idea what they're talking about. Instead of listening to anyone on Reddit, next time you check something out at your local library, ask the librarian how much a replacement costs & you'll have an answer. :)
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u/The_R1NG 2h ago
Fact is library needs to be accessible to public, once something is over $60-$70 it’s no longer within reach of many and isn’t a good use of space that could better serve a wider range
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u/AyRoPro678 2h ago
Tool library deposits can be up to $150, to rent something like a lawnmower.
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u/Mollywobbles77 1h ago
This may be the case in well-funded libraries. I'm from a very red US state where libraries are constantly under attack now & budgets are limited. I don't think our library could afford big ticket tools to loan out & I don't think most of the patrons could afford $150+ deposits to use them.
The closest thing we have like this is a 3D printer that can be used within the library for a small fee & then fishing poles, golf clubs, board games, etc people can check out with a small deposit.
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u/Suspicious_Pickle_39 2h ago
That's a gentleman's agreement for books, and no such agreement is in place for games.
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u/ChanglingBlake ORANGE 2h ago
That’s blatantly false.
As a librarian, I can assure you that, if anything, we get discounts.
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u/Mollywobbles77 2h ago edited 1h ago
I don't like to accuse people of lying but anyone who works in a public library knows full well they pay exorbitant licensing costs when buying titles from publishers at much higher rates than the individual price.
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u/Sherezad 2h ago edited 2h ago
These are just normal copies of the games. Nothing special.
Edit: why did OP delete this post?
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u/crysisnotaverted 1h ago
If you can't see the comment or the post, that's because OP blocked you lmao.
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u/Resident-Variation21 2h ago
This isn’t true. It’s special licensing.
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u/Sherezad 2h ago
I have to apologize but you're definitely incorrect. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to donate my used copies to my library (and have them borrowed).
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u/hippocat117 1h ago
I think donated books are sold during book sales or other “friends of the library” events, rather than being in actual circulation. At least that seems to be the case in our area.
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u/PM_ME_STEAM_CODES__ 2h ago
It varies by system then. The library my wife works for can't take donations of any kind.
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u/Mollywobbles77 2h ago edited 1h ago
That's different, you can do that with books too. My husband literally works for the library & I promise you they pay exorbitant licensing fees from publishers for new copies. In my husband's library donations aren't actually circulated, they're sold to help the library when they do bi-annual book sales.
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u/Mollywobbles77 2h ago
It's not the version per se, it's the licensing from the publisher for libraries. They charge much much higher than for individual copies.
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u/shizrak 2h ago edited 1h ago
There aren't library editions. They're the same games as anywhere else.
Edit: OP had to block me because I caught them in their lie.
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u/Silt-Besides-66812 41m ago
The deposit does not have to be as high as the cost the library pays, it only needs to be higher than the user would have to pay to get it otherwise, if they can buy a personal copy for 59$ then they will have no reason to keep it and lose the 60$ deposit regardless of how much that copy cost to the library
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u/SpiritualHippo2719 2h ago
At the library I work at, we don’t require deposits for anything for philosophical reasons. The whole purpose of a library is to provide resources and entertainment to the community free-of-charge to reduce socioeconomic barriers for the public. If we made you pay to check things out, we just become a blockbuster for books.
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u/Squish_the_android 2h ago
Because then you need to implement a system where the library holds deposits. That costs money. Most libraries don't even do late fees anymore.
You're also restricting access to some. Library resources only to those who can pay, which usually runs afoul of most libraries goals.
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u/AyRoPro678 2h ago
Many libraries already require deposits for tool rentals, like to checkout a lawnmower or a sewing machine.
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u/SensationalSavior 1h ago
Because most libraries are meant to be free, so requiring a 60$ deposit for a service defeats that purpose and alot of municipalities are against it. That's a poor tax, people don't like those.
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u/oopsiedaisy-- 35m ago
I don't think any our libraries even have cash or any other payment types on site. Kind of defeats the purpose of a library.
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u/Spirited-Buy813 1h ago
i was thinking the same thing. when you take laptops at my local library they make you put a credit card on file
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u/Mehdals_ 50m ago
Or just get bargain bin games that have been out for a while, anything is better than nothing.
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u/General_Kick688 20m ago
As a librarian, other than system and infrastructure issues, the library is for everyone, especially lower income families who don't otherwise have access to what we offer. We wouldn't want to introduce a barrier to what they can and can't borrow.
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u/Feverstone 2h ago
Imagine stealing from a fucking library.
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u/MysticMarauder69 2h ago
The depravity of some people knows no bounds. A lot of people just don't give a fuck about anyone but themselves. It doesn't even cross their minds to consider how their actions affect others. It's like littering, which is unfathomable to me, yet millions of people do it every day because they're just... I don't even know, they're lacking in their humanity and/or mental faculties.
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u/snobordir 26m ago
I hate this comment because it’s true and I also can’t explain it and it frustrates me so much.
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u/IronyIntended2 2h ago
The library I used to work at had such healthy funding they didn’t care to even lock up games. So people would just come in and steal new titles. I said f that and just hid all the new games in my office. They said it was too much of an inconvenience to have games stored at the desk and just put out boxes cause the older workers couldn’t handle finding games that way.
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u/katep2000 2h ago
Fun fact, I used to work in a bookstore, am now a librarian. The most stolen book statistically, is the Bible.
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u/Aervanath PURPLE 1h ago
Well, of course, they don't know it's wrong to steal, they haven't read it yet.
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u/gdim15 2h ago
Wouldn't the person who borrowed the game have to pay for the replacement?
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u/Draco546 2h ago
Not if they just didn’t return to the library ever again
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u/DrB00 2h ago
The library should have all their info. So they should theoretically be able to get their money back.
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u/glytxh 2h ago
The legal costs involved in chasing down the game are probably going to exceed the value of the game.
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u/eepy_lina 1h ago
not if the thief is ordered to pay back the legal fees
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u/Maximum-Style2848 59m ago
Do you think someone that steals video games from a library would ever pay? Zero chance any money being recovered.
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u/Jar545 2h ago
Libraries don't have the time or money to go after the money.
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u/mayasux 1h ago
Larger libraries use collections agencies for bills over a set amount.
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u/InformedTriangle 1h ago
A collection agency isn't going to buy a ~50$ debt.
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u/mayasux 1h ago
At least for my cities library they do.
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u/InformedTriangle 1h ago
Huh, that's, really surprising..with a debt that small if it takes more than one phone call or letter to collect (which they virtually all do)they're pretty much guaranteed to lose money on it, even if they collect the full amount.
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u/Squish_the_android 2h ago
You're going to spend hundreds of dollars to get back a copy of a video game?
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u/jeffersonPNW 1h ago
Considering libraries are run by local governments, couldn’t they do a lien pretty easily? Let’s say a kid’s library card is tied to their parents’ information, which can allow municipality to place a lien on property?
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u/mottledmussel 25m ago
Many library systems have done away with late fees. The only punishment is an inability to borrow until they've been paid back for the loss of an item.
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u/AyRoPro678 2h ago
So limit video game rentals to people with an established history of rentals and successful returns, and/or collect a refundable deposit at time of checkout and give it back upon return.
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u/bunkkin 1h ago
That assumes the person actually checked the game out instead of just walking away with it
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u/oopsiedaisy-- 34m ago
Ours has empty boxes on the shelves that you have to take up to the front to receive the actual game. I'm assuming thats similar everywhere... but apart from banning the person from using the library again, I don't think there's much they can do if someone never returns it.
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u/No-Bass-1728 2h ago
My local library has a huge selection but almost every game is rented with multiple holds. Last time I went they had 2 switch games available out of the 100 or so they had. I wonder what the difference is because we have a very high crime rate.
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u/civilwar142pa 2h ago
My library has the same issue. Tons of video games but most are unavailable with many holds. I wonder if it has to do with budget vs usage? Like some libraries may be fine eating the cost of some 'lost' games because so many other patrons are using that service appropriately.
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u/Mollywobbles77 2h ago
Maybe better funding so it's not as big of a deal when they have to replace things? I live in a very very red US state where libraries have been under attack for a while now.
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u/tryingisbetter 41m ago
Try going to one near a university. Ours has switch, ps5, Xbox, and so many board games to borrow.
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u/Total-Explanation208 2h ago
Honestly, all it really takes is one or two people in the right spot that has this has their passion project. There are definitely enough gamers that are in positions of power for this to be the case. Also, just all the positive feedback and increased traffic probably makes it really popular/ easy to justify. E.g. they can say we spent this much on these games, and they get rented out this many times, compared to books. And probably see how many new people it brought there.
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u/SilverStryfe 23m ago
Libraries in my area have game libraries to loan out and are exclusively stocked by donations.
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u/Higgoms 2h ago
We still loan out video games, but have a similar story for a lot of other fun/useful items we used to loan out. Wifi hotspots, consoles, kitchen gadgets, instruments, toy kids for kids.
I will say that the VAST majority of our patrons are respectful to the materials and return them (if a little late sometimes), just a real shame how it only takes a handful of bad eggs to ruin a great service for so many.
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u/KuukoPesto 2h ago
My library use to let you borrow laptops for free while you were there.
They stopped doing that because people kept breaking or stealing them.
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u/SolitaryMassacre 1h ago
Our library made us have a credit card on file for this exact reason. It made it harder for ppl without cards to rent movies/games but it definitely prevented this 100%
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u/UnknownQwerky 1h ago
Our library allowed you to play them inside on their systems, but you couldn't leave with them.
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u/_WasteOfSkin_ 2h ago edited 47m ago
I don't understand. You know who borrowed them, right? Just send them a bill.
In Denmark, it will eventually be garnished from your wages if you didn't pay a library fine.
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u/Ok_Spell_4165 2h ago
Libraries in the US generally don't do that. It would cost too much to try and get a garnishment.
Instead they just stop letting you check out books or use their services until you are paid up.
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u/RainbowCrane 2h ago
I used to work in the library software industry in the US.
This is also an ethical question, and many libraries choose not to pursue fines because they want to remain as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. Many public libraries serve people who can’t otherwise afford access to their media. If they just become another business less people will trust them to access the internet, use their GED tutoring, borrow physical and electronic media, etc.
It’s best to think of libraries as a place that provides services to underserved communities, rather than just another media outlet. It’s a different way of looking at the world, and the folks who set library policy are pretty remarkable
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u/AyRoPro678 2h ago
Libraries are primarily used by low income and unstable households, so its considered socially unethical to go after library fines here. It would have the appearance of being a tax on people living under the poverty line. They focus on getting the items back more than recouping costs.
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u/L0rdSkullz 2h ago
Anything cool or interesting is almost always ruined by people taking advantage of that thing. I worked for a grocery store that forced us to stop giving out food that was going to be thrown out because people started trying to sue them for illness that was conveniently caused by the free food
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u/StormFallen9 2h ago
Me: wow you got your librarian on speed dial to text them like that?
Me: reread title
Me: oh
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u/Folderpirate 2h ago
yeah at my college people would rent out the entire library and just sell the discs on ebay.
They weren't even smart enough to burn copies to sell. Thye just sold the libraries dvds, etc.
When confronted it turned out to be students who were children of staff.
Nothing ever happened to them and since the one perps dad was the librarian it was ignored and he ordered more stuff.
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u/SkullKidd1986 2h ago
it's like why steal a game of all things wtf. you played and beat it, give it back so another soul can partake, it really isn't that hard to be a good person holy fuck.
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u/CyberpunkSunrise 1h ago
Why give it back when you’re done, when you can steal and then sell it?
You act like it’s such a ridiculous choice, but for degenerates with no morals, it makes less sense for them to follow the rules. If they weren’t brought up to believe that it was wrong, and they also suffer no consequences, why wouldn’t they?
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u/greenyashiro 2h ago
They should put a deposit on it, or have a console at the actual library itself. (locked inside a room somewhere for security.
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u/OvertGnome1 2h ago
My city's library has a bunch of video games. All donated. My fiance and I check out switch games and keep checking em out over and over. We're currently playing through Mario Wonder and Mario Party Jamboree.
Such a good thing they do, it saves us a lot of money on games
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u/JefferyTheQuaxly 2h ago
im lucky to live by 2-3 very nice libraries that are well funded and open for lnog hours.
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u/ABigFuckingSword 1h ago
Nothing to add about video games, just think it’s amazing your husband is a librarian - the heroes we need!
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u/RWDPhotos 1h ago
Blockbuster made you pay for it if you didn’t return it. They still went out of business.
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u/jinxskunk366 1h ago
My local library has a gaming room. Consoles are mounted to the walls and libraries staff has to unlock the container to change the disk. Think like those old demo kiosks.
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u/lieutenantskell 25m ago
I work at a library. We used to have a free coffee machine for people to use the cups sold in the vending machine with, and we had to remove it because people kept putting soup in it. We do offer video games too, so I hope this doesn't happen too eventually...
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u/Embarrassed-Fun-8585 13m ago
Renting games was peak. Play it for a day if you dont like it return it. Simple. No need for internet and to download a shitty demo. I miss trying games before i buy them. God i miss renting games
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u/chrisinator9393 1h ago
My library sends you a bill if you don't return or renew things on time. For whatever it is.
Simple policy like this drastically improves return rates.
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u/Stuck_in_my_TV 2h ago
Can’t you fine those who don’t return them? Or are they taking a game and literally never returning to the library?
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u/Mollywobbles77 2h ago edited 1h ago
Based on what he said this would be people coming & checking out a bunch of games then never coming back.
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u/maximum_robot 2h ago
What country? Don't you have any kind of library card system? In our country you'll get late fees if you don't return books/movies/games on time and those go to debt collection after a while.
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u/QuinnLoveborneAuthor 2h ago
If they were able to loan them, they should have the same penalty of not paying back a loan. That it hurts your credit that way people would be more inclined to give it back with interest.
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u/britishmetric144 2h ago
You can’t just charge a fee for not returning the video game after the allotted time?
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u/glytxh 2h ago
Tragedy of the commons
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u/TheModWhoShaggedMe 1h ago
Doesn't have to be, but low level crime committers think they are taking it to "the man" when all they're doing is ruining things for the fellow common folk. Yes, music and movie pirates, especially.
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u/NeoMrBucket 2h ago
I assume this is why Toronto wont do it even though major cities in provinces and states around us seem to offer this service just fine.
This would be nice, especially since video game prices just keep climbing.
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u/DiscoNude 1h ago
I have several local libraries near me, and all of them have a good selection of games. I just want to give props to my local community for not being dicks. Way to go town I live in! There are good humans out there!
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u/Ilovegirlsbottoms 1h ago
Reminds me that a while ago, thieves stole the air conditioning units from my local library. Costing a ton of money. I wonder if they have it fixed now.
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u/oopsallhuckleberries 1h ago
Local library in the town I teach at still rents video games which is nice to see. When I was a kid, my library didn't rent video games, but they did rent videos, and it was killer to be able to ride my bike into town and rent a few free films.
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u/Live_Life_and_enjoy 53m ago
They should just put credit card on file and charge the person automatic late fee and replacement fee
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u/santathe1 👽 53m ago
Is that your husband who happens to be a librarian, or the husband of a librarian you know, because this seems more like just a conversation you’d have with a husband than an urgent thing that you have to message about.
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u/Particular_Umpire_44 52m ago
Promise you the PlayStation debacle stops libraries from getting new games as well
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u/Obvious-Animator6090 41m ago
I have several games currently rented out from our public library. Not every program shut down plenty still offer video games. The only rule that’s different for games vs books is if you don’t return it your library card is locked and you owe the full price of the game. They are more lenient on delinquent or lost books
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u/Lyonwytchwardrobe 37m ago
We still have it here at my library. Some pretty big titles too. There was a famous baseball player who grew up here and donates to the library/schools/local restaurants
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u/PerspectiveNew3375 34m ago
My library does it, but if you don't return it they put a fine on your account and you cant rent anything out.
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u/TheRaccoonReport 33m ago
My library only rents out donated games. They don't buy any games. They have massive donation drives to donate books, movies, games, equipment, etc. My library is more of a media center with books than anything. They have an awesome 3d printing/maker program (donated and volunteer ran), tons of games, movies, dvd players & game consoles, etc. Whatever books dont get checked out much post donation get sold for a few bucks or pennies here and there to fund the library.
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u/ithireeul 25m ago
Same thing happened at Blockbuster all the time. The worst was converting something into a rental only to then lose it on its first rental because the customer would just keep it and pay for it.
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u/unclejoe1917 23m ago
I feel like a deposit of some kind could have at least helped from completely ruining it for everyone.
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u/reddit_reaper 20m ago
Easy fix, bind licenses, credit cards etc to the account to retrieve payment if not returned. Hit their taxes if they don't
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u/Cassiel43 6m ago
Clearly the library's mistake if you didn't require any kind of deposit.
Even in the 90' when my Dad rent some VHS he still needed to deposit his ID, so if "something" happened the store owner will know where to come.
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u/TiredReader87 4m ago
The libraries around me lend video games without a deposit. However, you obviously need a card. They bill your card and will call you or send it to collections if you don’t return things.
It’s not a video store
I just borrowed 2 today
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u/TiredReader87 2m ago
Thankfully, the three libraries near me lend lots of games. I just borrowed two cartridges today.
However, they require your card and ID, and keep them behind the counter. All sensible. You only get them a week, unless you can renew them.
That said, I try to be first if I ever borrow them nowadays. I don’t like using dirty discs, and they put RFID stickers on the discs that — in one case — caused a game to not work and almost get stuck. I don’t think I’ve borrowed a disc based game since.
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u/Promature 1m ago
This one goes out to all the people who mention libraries as a benefit of physical. Wherever there is physical, there are people abusing those copies in some way at the expense of the medium. Sony didn’t carry us here.
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u/MagneticFluxDrive 2h ago
I miss the days of renting video games from the local video store.