"Guilt Ridden" Patron Returns Book 24 Years Late

Donna Corpus of Portsmouth, VA took advantage of a library amnesty program to return a book 24 years late.  She originally checked out the book, Butterflies Are Free to help with a play addition.  According to this article, the book wound up in a box marked "pictures" and left the woman "guilt ridden." Under the amnesty program, Corpus donated food in place of the fine. The book will probably be placed back in circulation.  UPI

And that's all that happened.  Nothing dramatic, no claiming of hospitalization, no fights to the death to claim that she renewed it over 600 times.  Just a donated food bath to wash all the sins away, huh?  Despicable.

Boca Raton to Give Beach Residents Library Cards?

The Boca Raton public library system is considering giving library cards to the 15,000 beach residents without the normal $150/250 nonresident fee.  Sun-Sentinal

Poor, poor snow birds, coming down to live in the beautiful beach community but can't get a library card.  What the matter, snow bird?  Nobody want to build a nice beach library for ya?  Can't afford your own books?

But seriously, I can see how this would boost the library system's numbers, both for the good and bad.  More numbers means more ability to show relevance in the community, but more numbers means materials are out the door more than usual.  I say lower the fee if you want more numbers or petition whoever cares for the land to give out more money.  Somebody's got to pay somebody to get the trash out there.

Library Crime: Librarian Alegedly Steals $163,000

Margo Reed, a Yonkers librarian, allegedy stole $163,000 over a six year period while collecting late fees and fines.  According to this article, police say she also altered library records to hide the funds, much like one of those crazy embezzlers from high falootin' movie pictures. 

Now this is a lady that does it right (allegedly)!  Why mess around selling books on Ebay or throwing ketchup everywhere?  This lady wanted to get paid (allegedly)!  Hell, that's enough to put a down payment on a really nice house.  What do you spend that kind of money on?  Damn sure not your taxes.