I would do that, except I can’t steal it from the library. They have anti-theft devices in place, I think. If I just destroyed the book, they would simply buy another one with the money I would have to pay.
It was actually rather easy for me. One of the bums that had taken to living at the library caused a stink (literally) when he claimed that another bum was intruding on “his turf”.
Instead of kicking them out the library staff was absurdly trying to negotiate with these dirty, smelly losers. I was sitting and reading the book and seized the opportunity to stroll out during the melee.
Yes, they likely will replace the lost book with another, but ‘mine’ is one copy that is now out of circulation...;’}
Mis-file it between two George Will books. They’ll never find it.