To Catch a Literary Predator...The Case of the Book Burgler

As I sit here in the depths of my public library, pondering the meaning of life and anything else profound you can think of that would make me sound deep and knowledgable, I overheard a conversation a patron was having with the circulation desk staff.  The gist of the conversation was as follows:

A young man was trying to explain to the circulation staff why he had 30 plus items checked out, and not returned, well over their due date by tone and inflection of the staff.  He was pleading his case, his "Woe is me" story, about how the library is the only form of entertainment his family can afford, and how they could not bar him from checking out other materials until he returned all that was overdue.  He explained how he read to his ill mother nightly, and how she found comfort and solace in his literary professing's.  He told of his two little sisters, and how he was teaching them to read, as they can not afford to transport the children to school (don't know the circumstances surrounding that one.), and he went on, and on for a good 5-8 minutes, until he had "won over" the staff, checked out his various new materials, and came back to a table near mine to join the others he was present with.

This is where the story goes awry.

I overhear the young gentleman speaking to his comrades, who were busily "Google'ing" information, which I was led to believe, was about the materials he just checked out.  The conversation went along the lines of...the boy and his friends, were checking out library materials, and selling them online at various sites, to get money for who knows what.  They were apparently members of several, unconnected library systems in the state, because they were speaking of a vast business network.

I didn't know what to say....I didn't know what to do.  Who do I tell?  The library staff?  The police?  While I was pondering my "Whistleblower" plan, the literary liars, the culprits of the copyright, left the premises.  Which way did they go?  I asked a nearby woman if she saw which way "that group of boys" had gone, and of course, it's a library, so NOBODY pays attention to anything that is not in their own little 'quiet bubble'.

I sprang into action....I alerted the circulation staff of the scheme.  They were unbelieving at first.  I asked for the lads name and address, which they were reluctant to give, as they tried to feed be a line about patron confidentiality.  I assured them I was going to involve the authorities, and would get the information one way or another (Tactfully of course).  As I began to think what my next action should be, one of the circulation staff said, "I know that boy rather well, and the thought is beyond belief.  He would NEVER do anything like that."  I knew right then, I was fighting an uphill battle.  What should I do?  Give up?  Let it be?  Consider it none of my business, and go on with my day?  I am a 'Lover of the Library', in fact, I am a contributing member of my library.  I cannot, nay, will not stand by and ANY wrong doing go by unscrutinized.  Should I?  Could I?

I assured the staff a wrong was being committed, and vowed to see it through!  The staff then listened to my account of the conversations that took place after the boy left the circulation desk, they listened to my plan, and call for action, and the gave advice as to what they should do.  In the midst of all this conversing, a member of the staff asked for my library card, so they could get my information.  I went on talking with several members of the staff, while others helped other patrons, the branch librarian phoned for the police and another printed off the boys information.

Breaking through the silence...a staff member said, "Mr. Taylor...Mr. Taylor." interrupting the conversation taking place regarding this most pressing matter.   "Mr Taylor....you have a fine due of $0.11 cents.  Are you aware of this?"  OF ALL THE THINGS.

Does she not know how serious this is?  She obviously does not see the depth of this dilemma.  I am not the only one that thought this...as the other staff, stood, starring at her...mouth hanging open.  I finally broke the silence and said, "Really?!?"  I dug in my pocket, took out a quarter and said..."Keep the change."

Soon after, the fuzz arrived.

What happened next?  Stay tuned....

                                                                --To Be Continued--


Until next time...