The Yukon library system has an amnesty week twice a year if you donate to the food bank. A 25 cent package of noodles will erase your debt.
While I don't actually like paying late fees, They are necessary to keep books circulating.
Most libraries I have used have a reasonable cap on late fees and don't start asking for replacement fees for 3 months. Then they still give you up to a year to return the book and get the replacement fee back. More than reasonable IMO. If only banks and loan companies would do the same
When one borrows a book from the library or a friend, the honorable thing to do is return it within the agreed upon time frame, convenientor not. If you lose or damage it pay for it, or if this is not possible, let them know so they can replace it and/or keep their records straight.
As Nogle pointed out, if you need the book longer than the lender is willing to lend it then buy it. Someone has to pay for a book and why not the borrower if they don't return it? Keeping something you borrow indefinitely is pretty mean.
Helen