US library to enforce jail sentences for overdue books

[tay]

Library customers can end up owing large sums to the library because they are able to take out up to 25 books at a time, which could have a retail value of $25 each.


Anyone with overdue books will have the chance to return them before the authorities are notified.


https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news...y-to-enforce-jail-sentences-for-overdue-books


www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9tP9fI2zbE

 

[Curious Cdn]

Do the "Three Strikes, You're Out" laws apply? Can you get life in the Big House for being a serial loser of Harlequin Romances?

 

[MHz]

Wow, retirement just got to be fully funded.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Sorry to put a hitch in your git-along there, tay, but libraries in the U.S. don't have a law enforcement or criminal justice role.

 

[PoliticalNick]

Well they will eventually send armed thugs to drag you to jail or kill you over a $25 parking ticket if you defy them and resist having your freedom stolen.

 

[spaminator]

I wonder if they will have the books thrown at them?

 

[Danbones]

The books will have chips in em
like cookies

 

[Ludlow]

If you can't read a book in three weeks for whatever reason all you have to do is renew it online.

 

[Curious Cdn]

Sorry to put a hitch in your git-along there, tay, but libraries in the U.S. don't have a law enforcement or criminal justice role.

It's too bad eh?

QUIET!!! or it's two years in San Quentin for you!

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Well they will eventually send armed thugs to drag you to jail or kill you over a $25 parking ticket if you defy them and resist having your freedom stolen.

I vote for killing. Jails are expensive.

 

[tay]

Sorry to put a hitch in your git-along there, tay, but libraries in the U.S. don't have a law enforcement or criminal justice role.

ummmmmmm.......I didn't write the article that you haven't read but according to it, you would be incorrect;

Library Director Paul Laurita said resorting to enforcing the ordinance was necessary because offenders are not only stealing from the library, but also from other library patrons and taxpayers.

City ordinance 93-1157 says it is unlawful for any person who has a library card to “fail or refuse to return” any materials borrowed or withdrawn from the public library. Any person who violates the ordnance may receive a fine of up to $100, be sentenced to a city jail term of 30 days or possibly both at the discretion of the municipal judge.

And

http://forums.canadiancontent.net/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fcitynews.ca%2F2013%2F10%2F30%2Ftexas-man-jailed-for-overdue-library-book

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

ummmmmmm.......I didn't write the article that you haven't read but according to it, you would be incorrect;

Library Director Paul Laurita said resorting to enforcing the ordinance was necessary because offenders are not only stealing from the library, but also from other library patrons and taxpayers.

City ordinance 93-1157 says it is unlawful for any person who has a library card to “fail or refuse to return” any materials borrowed or withdrawn from the public library. Any person who violates the ordnance may receive a fine of up to $100, be sentenced to a city jail term of 30 days or possibly both at the discretion of the municipal judge.

And

Texas man jailed for overdue library book - CityNews

So. . . they'll send librarians to arrest you? You'll be prosecuted by a librarian?

 

[petros]

Library Police. Gay men with pink shirts and bow ties, fur lined handcuffs and Coach badge wallets.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Library Police. Gay men with pink shirts and bow ties, fur lined handcuffs and Coach badge wallets.

What is it that causes you to associate libraries and gay men?

The stereotypical librarian is a thin, plain, sexless woman in her 40s or older in drab, "sensible" clothes.

 

[tay]

So. . . they'll send librarians to arrest you? You'll be prosecuted by a librarian?

Apparently the Librarian makes the call........Library Director Paul Laurita said resorting to enforcing the ordinance was necessary

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Apparently the Librarian makes the call........Library Director Paul Laurita said resorting to enforcing the ordinance was necessary

And who does the enforcing?

You might wanna look up "enforce" before you answer, so's not to look like a complete simpleton.

 

[petros]

What is it that causes you to associate libraries and gay men?

The stereotypical librarian is a thin, plain, sexless woman in her 40s or older in drab, "sensible" clothes.

That's racist

And who does the enforcing?

You might wanna look up "enforce" before you answer, so's not to look like a complete simpleton.

Bylaw enforcement. If a white Yaris pulls in the driveway you're f-cked.

And who does the enforcing?

You might wanna look up "enforce" before you answer, so's not to look like a complete simpleton.

Bylaw enforcement. If a white Yaris pulls in the driveway you're f-cked.

 

[JLM]

Do the "Three Strikes, You're Out" laws apply? Can you get life in the Big House for being a serial loser of Harlequin Romances?

Well it does amount to theft doesn't it?

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Well it does amount to theft doesn't it?

Yep. I'm sure tay would rather see it prosecuted as petty theft (or even grand theft for enough books), but these ordinances, which exist in many areas, are intended to spur people to return their library materials without invoking the full machinery of the criminal law.

Which, sadly, means they'll be abused at some point.

 

[tay]

And who does the enforcing?

You might wanna look up "enforce" before you answer, so's not to look like a complete simpleton.

Was it the Seinfeld clip that's making you take issue this so analy? If so don't take it so seriously as it was a comedy show, not a documentary.

If you look at the title of the article;

US library to enforce jail sentences for overdue books

and if you read the article you will see that it's the Librarian's call to enforce the ordinance;

Cause (something) to happen by necessity or force:

An ordinance has been on the books for some time now, but after events earlier in the year didn't convince enough people to return what they had, Laurita decided it was time to enforce it.

PS; The NYPL uses collection agencies as opposed to enforcing citations.

https://www.nypl.org/help/borrowing-materials/library-fines-and-fees

Yep. I'm sure tay would rather see it prosecuted as petty theft (or even grand theft for enough books), but these ordinances, which exist in many areas, are intended to spur people to return their library materials without invoking the full machinery of the criminal law.

Which, sadly, means they'll be abused at some point.

So at what point did I express my opinion either way on the story.......?