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.
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