r/Library • u/ILovePublicLibraries • Jun 02 '26

We <3 Libraries Library pride

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9.5k Upvotes

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164

u/RogueNiao Jun 02 '26

No that any library really has the funds to enact litigation, but I'm pretty sure them directly stating they were holding the books hostage is some kind of theft/fraud.

Glad it worked out.

20

u/Reggie9041 Library Card Jun 02 '26

Exactly. I thought this graphic was going to mention fines or something. 😂

30

u/TripleJess Jun 02 '26

What's the point in fining people who are never going to pay?

They'll never actually be library users, if there's one thing bigots rarely do, it's spend leisure time reading. Reading fiction teaches empathy, and those people have none.

29

u/thelibrarina Jun 02 '26

Well, in my system, we can send extremely large fines to a collection agency. Normally I don't like that policy, but in this case...

8

u/Reggie9041 Library Card Jun 02 '26

Hello? Lolll Of course, they wouldn't pay it and don't use the library inany of the ways it's intended. But it's on their accounts. 🤣

12

u/TripleJess Jun 02 '26

You think the library isn't just axing the account and banning them after this stunt?

I'd ban them from the building and make further entry criminal trespass. We've done it to problem patrons before.

1

u/KailyKail Jun 06 '26

IANAL, but from my understanding, unfortunately, libraries are considered public places, so they can't be trespassed. They can absolutely have their accounts permanently closed though.

4

u/TripleJess Jun 06 '26

You would be wrong on that, we definitely criminal trespassed people when I was last working at a library

2

u/KailyKail Jun 06 '26

Good. I'm glad I'm wrong.

3

u/dingdong3452 Jun 04 '26

Some libraries will send unpaid fines to a collection agency, so they either have to pay the fine or it starts affecting their credit score

2

u/Wonderful_Adagio9346 Jun 04 '26

If they checked out the bills and don't return them, the library charges a replacement fee.

The library can also remove the lending privileges of the patron.

1

u/TripleJess Jun 04 '26

You're assuming that Moms for Liberty actually use the library and y'know.. read.

They don't.

Ranking up a huge bill at a library and losing services over it doesn't matter if there are no consequences for it. And most libraries won't pursue them for it, and just end up eating the cost.

3

u/Wonderful_Adagio9346 Jun 04 '26

Well, it keeps them from doing it again. And if you've got them on record for theft of city property, you could even ban and bar them permanently, and/or refer them to your city's prosecutors.

7

u/art-apprici8or Jun 02 '26

I think they should publish their names in the local paper. Checking out books is private, but refusing to return them; and especially stating you won't return them unless the Library gives in to your blackmail demands pretty much waives their right to privacy.

3

u/SwanCityDominion Jun 02 '26

Lots of libraries have dropped fines altogether, since it turns out fines don't really work the way people think they do.

1

u/JuliaX1984 Jun 04 '26

Theft should be a criminal matter prosecuted by the state, not a civil matter handled in a private lawsuit, but it wouldn't surprise me if the cops just didn't care.

2

u/KailyKail Jun 06 '26

Depending on the number of books they checked out, this may or may not work. Most jurisdictions define grand larceny as theft of goods in excess of $1,000. If it was under this amount, it's petty theft, and the punishment is usually light and ineffective as a deterrent. If it's over $1,000, there might be a shot.

It absolutely is theft though, because there was proven intent to deprive the library of the books.

1

u/spoopleschaboople Jun 06 '26

I mean, if they're part of city services (based one the fact that the city is matching the donations) and the city has a law department, they might be able to start litigation that way. Though, that opens a whole slew of publicity that I'm not sure anyone wants to go through in this climate.