Posted on 01/23/2009 1:25:55 PM PST by iowamark
An Independence woman was arrested on theft charges Thursday for failing to return a library book.
Shelly J. Koontz, 39, was arrested just after 8 p.m. at her residence after a warrant had been issued. She was originally charged with fifth-degree theft for keeping "The Freedom Writers Diary," which she checked out from the Jesup Public Library in April 2008.
Jesup Police Chief Rick Deitrick said the book was valued at $13.95.
"Theft is theft, no matter what it is," Deitrick said.
Library employees tried to contact Koontz with four phone calls, three letters and one certified letter, according to a criminal complaint. A Jesup police officer visited her home in September 2008 and informed Koontz's teenage daughter that Koontz needed to pay for the book or return it.
When the book still hadn't been returned by Oct. 10, a library official called the police again, wishing to proceed with theft charges.
"That's about all the library can do," Deitrick said.
Jesup Public Library Director Cindy Lellig declined to comment when reached by The Gazette this morning.
Koontz was taken to the Buchanan County Jail on Thursday. She posted a $250 bond after spending about two hours at the jail, a jail spokeswoman said.
Attempts by The Gazette to reach Koontz were unsuccessful.
I feel very safe now.
Maybe she's just a slow reader?
I really hate these stories (that pop up every few months). The woman was arrested for failure to appear in court. That’s the way these stories always play out. Unfortunately, for a reporter sitting in his or her cube picking his or her nose, it also makes for a boring headline.
Anyone feel safe borrowing a book from that library?
I see it as the library providing a valuable learning experience. Isn’t that what libraries should do?
I understand the desire to protect public property, and I know that libraries are probably hard-pressed to keep their books in circulation. And, I know that this woman apparently ignored numerous warnings to return the book.
BUT,
This just looks silly to me. I think that the negative PR ramifications for the library may, in the end, cost them far more than $13.95.
She should have returned the book and can't say she wasn't warned but...I assume librarians and cops make at least minimum wage. What a waste of time and money. Just ban her and her kids from checking out books until it's paid.
I'm a "I'll get around to it" too though, person. I don't check out books or rent movies because I do get busy and end up returning them late. I figure it's just cheaper to buy than pay late fees. If a cop showed up on my door step though I believe I would put the book on my priority list though.
But you have to admit she was warned ... on several occasions and chose to ignore them.
I guess not. Unless I intend to actually return it.
BTW - if you walked out of a store with a $13 item you’d be arrested for shoplifting ... I really don’t see the difference in this case ... the book belongs to the public for everyone’s use and she basically shoplifted it ....
Simple defence: “I returned it. They must have missfiled it.”
Be specific, clear and convincing. Burden of proof is on them. Especially with that irresponsible book drop thingee.
Personally, I think one of the librarians stole the book when she returned it and is letting her take the fall. ;)
My thoughts, too. You wouldn’t get away with doing this with razor blades in a walmart.
At last I can sleep at night with the doors unlocked. Nothing like enhancing the old public image in an era of tightening budgets.
Shouldn’t ban the kids for what the mom has done, in my opinion. And I see no reason to give her a mulligan.
I would be willing to bet she’s a liberal and probably an English teacher, too.
She should say she returned it using Turbo Tax.
What the heck is that supposed to mean? From your comment I gather that the taxpayers of this library district should mount a sign that says, "Please come in. The first book is on us."
...and she basically shoplifted....
&&&
You are exactly correct.
People like this are just lazy and inconsiderate. I’ll be she leaves the cart in a parking space at the grocery store, as well.
And left it against someone's car door ....
failing to return a library book ??
I say throw the book at her. LOL
I still have a couple novels from the high school library, I guess I better run for the border ey?
The judge should throw the book at her.
It means the usual policy of libraries is to simply put a freeze on the person checking out any books. It cost a lot more than 13.50 to take this woman to court. So as a taxpayer I would rather be out 13.50 then the money they put out for court.
Say the library also rents DVD's and CD's (mine does). How many freebies are you willing to hand out? Alternatively, how annoyed are you allowed to be when you go to rent your nephew Cars for the evening, and the librarian says, "Sorry, someone ripped it off again?"
I am not a lawyer, but this doesn’t seem criminal to me, rather civil and should have been dealt with through civil action.
The gal and the library entered into a contract agreement, the library set the conditions of the loan (of the book) and the gal violated the conditions of the contract (return the book by a given date).
Granted, her actions should result in consequences, but in criminal action, I doubt it.
Like a typical liberal she considers the rules only to be for the little people.
It would be great if with fines and penalties it costs this lazy bitch a thousand dollars.
We have an amnesty week here.
Yup, I feel quite safe borrowing a book from the library. I’m not irresponsible, lazy or a slow reader. I’m also not a thief.
Let me help you. She didn't steal the book or walk out of the library without checking the stupid book out. The book was over due. Would it not make more sense to just put a hold on her library card?
Ya know there is a such thing as law enforcement discretion. In this case the morons that run this police agency should have told the morons running the library what the hell to do, to avoid bringing further embarrassment onto themselves.
LOL
Me too. Especially now with the 'new and used' feature with Amazon.
In addition, by using that avenue, I don't have to leave my house - which is a 20 mile round trip that would be one for renting, one for returning...40 miles. Gas money costs more that shipping charge. win win to buy online
Jaywalking is really a non-crime but there are fines. Over staying your parking is a non-crime but there are fines.
Not returning property is stealing and there are consequences.
Hoped this helped.
In addition it builds your personal library...allowing you to read or watch when ever and as many times as you want :’)
And they still handed you a real diploma, before all obligations were met, borrowed materials returned, and fines settled?
We had a few in my class "graduate" & get a blank scroll because they still owed the cafeteria or campus bookstore a couple of bucks. They could cross the stage, but until they settled up, their real diploma wasn't mailed to them, nor were their final transcripts sent anywhere.
Just ferrrget it.
There is no such thing as police discretion or common sense here. Lets arrest and jail everyone for over due library book..
I feel like Charlton Heston in the Ape movie.
“Hey man, don’t Bundy that book!”
“You’re quite famous, you know. This week we’ve had 34 overdue books returned by mail. With checks. The children are terrified and treat each book like fine china. Mr. Bundy, You’ve become the Freddie Krueger of the library system.”
Signed:
Nazi Homeowner Association
I'm still puzzling over the "injecting common sense" remark. The police were just doing their job per library request.
I resent being called a member of the Nazi Homeowner Association. (after I posted the previous to you I said to myself: Hold on there)
Ok, this is stupid. Why does the library have the power to put you in jail when a video store cannot?
This is a fascist state policy.
The video store can sue you, but not take your liberty, and would never sue for so little as $13!
Civil case vs criminal case.
Post 45
I am not a lawyer either, but I would bet the criminal charges stem from her ignoring notices,court dates. etc. I see a lot of cases in the paper that start out as a simple traffic ticket, but by not paying the fine or not going to court the charges progressively get bumped up. So, not returning the book might be a civil matter, but not showing up to court when ordered is criminal. JMHO
Book her, Dano!
Draconian laws are needed, that’s all!
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