LIBRARY THEFT
This research paper examines the
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This research paper examines the problems of theft of books and other personal property from libraries and legal and other measures which can be taken to deter it and to punish perpetrators. Thefts from public and educational libraries have emerged as a serious problem in recent decades. Governments at all levels have adopted laws criminalizing such activities. However, administrators of libraries have responded sluggishly to the threat posed by library theft. Tougher laws against library theft are only a part of the answer. The real keys to finding a solution to the problem is the willingness of library administrators and law enforcement officials to apprehend and punish offenders and to spend the money and effort needed to deter them, which is complicated by fiscal constraints on library budgets. Library theft is a very old problem, as the following inscription found on the door of an ancient library in Barcelona, Spain indicates: "For him that stealeth a book from this library, let it change into a serpent in his hand and rend him" (Hirshman 52). As evidence grew that library theft was increasing at the same time as general crime rates were rising, some observers in the 1970s and 1980s warned libraries that they needed to organize themselves to cope with the problem. In their study of the experiences of three countries--Canada, Great Britain and the United States--Lincoln & Lincoln concluded that "each of the countries studied . .
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or at Ohio State University who stole 14 books worth $200,000 received a 14-month prison term, two years of supervised release, 250 hours of community service and a fine of $3,000 (Reed 4).
Missouri's penal statutes, ?? 558.011(c) and 570.21, distinguish between thefts of books with a value of less than $150, which are treated as a Class C misdemeanor, and thefts of books with a higher value, which are treated as a Class C felony, punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine of up to $5,000. Like a number of statutes, the Missouri law provides that theft is involved if the individual fails to return the volume within 10 days after being notified in writing by the library that the books are overdue. North Carolina (Ch. 14-398) makes theft or damage of books or other property having a value of more than $50 a felony.
Other Measures. Tougher criminal laws against library theft are only part of the answer and may be an overreaction to the occasional purloining of a book by a patron. According to Mika and Shumah, "Book theft . . . is not regarded as sufficiently serious to initiate prosecution. Prosecuting library thieves is difficult, time-consuming, bad public relations, and frequently not worth the effort" (30).
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1825
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)
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