Patrons jailed for overdue library books
CLEARWATER, Fla., June 10 (UPI) _ At least two people have been
arrested this week because books they borrowed from the Clearwater,
Fla. , public library were overdue.
One of those taken into custody, Sabrina Davis, spent a night in jail
for failing to return seven books she had borrowed to read to her
2-and- a-half-year-old son.
The 22-year-old single mother was awakened early Monday by police who
handcuffed her and transported her to the Pinellas County Jail, where
guards and fellow inmates shook their heads in disbelief of her
situation.
Davis was released Tuesday after her boyfriend returned ''Farmer Boy,
'' ''Little House on the Prairie'' and the other five overdue books.
She also paid $400 in late fees and promised to pay $220 in court
costs.
Another man remained jailed because his books were still out.
Davis was taken into custody after failing to appear in court to answer
allegations that she had not returned material to the library. Library
officials say before a negligent patron is arrested, they typically
have failed to respond to eight notices asking that books, video
cassettes or compact discs be returned.
One third of the Clearwater Library's budget _ or $180,000 a year _ has
been devoted to replacing property that is not returned, and officials
are trying to reduce the outlay.
Arlita Hallam, the city's library director, said: ''It's as if it's a
joke, as if stealing public property is OK...Ninety-nine-point-nine
percent of the public returns the materials. These are people who
absolutely and flagrantly refuse to respond at all.''
Davis concedes the books she borrowed were overdue, but says her
husband had recently left her and her financial situation was so
precarious that she couldn't raise the late fees and still pay the rent
and utility bill. _-
Copyright 1999 by United Press International.
All rights reserved. _-
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