A library located in Alabama has informed its patrons that it plans to meet a fairly strict set of rules on the loan of books including the possibility of going to jail for anyone who does not return a book on time.
In an effort to recover around 180.000 euros on overdue books, the Athens - Limestone Public Library will enforce a new policy that includes $ 100 fines and up to a 30-day jail term, and may even be both, a fine and a jail sentence.
The director of the library is Paula Laurita, who commented that these strict rules were needed because criminals were robbing the library and taxpayers.
"Sometimes we hear 'I loaned my cousin my library card.' I just want to ask, do you lend your cousin the credit card? If the criminals go and get € 600 in clothes and you are responsible for the money, would you do it? "
Users of this library can have a large number of library books since they are allowed to check out up to 25 total books at a time, which could make an average value of € 20 or more each.
Anyone who has overdue books obtained from this library will have the opportunity to return them before being notified to the authorities.
For its part, the library first inform to users with overdue books by message or email. If users ignore this call, they will be sent a registered letter, warning that they have 10 days left to deliver the books they took or they will have to pay the corresponding fine.
Lastly, if the letter does not work, a subpoena will be issued. If this letter is ignored, the user could go directly to jail.
As a final clarification, the director communicated that this policy did not apply to children.