In light of all the media attention about the woman from Jesup who failed to return her library book and was arrested and charged with 5th degree theft, I would like to take the opportunity to clarify a few points left out by the Gazette. First of all, the Gazette failed to mention that it is actually Iowa Law that libraries can pursue charges if a library material has not been returned after 2 months and all other attempts to contact the patron have failed. For small libraries like Jesup, this oftentimes is one of the few cost-effective ways of retrieving lost materials. Larger libraries, like our own Metro Library System, can afford to render the services of a collection agency to retrieve lost materials, thus, eliminating the need for law enforcement agencies to do so.
Second, the Gazette also failed to mention that through Iowa's Open Access, she could have returned the material to the Independence Public Library and in turn they would have sent it on to Jesup. Ms. Koontz moved during the time that the material was overdue to Independence.
Third, that material was paid for by public tax dollars. Everyone seems so upset by the fact that the library used law enforcement to recover a $13 library book, but no one seems to recognize that the $13 book is also a part of their tax dollars! She essentially stole $13 from the tax payers of Jesup and the surrounding county! The amount of materials that are never returned to libraries is astonishing. The cost of replacing those materials is just as much so. $13 may seem futile to many, but to those of us who are forced everyday to find creative ways of replacing that $13 because of the constant cuts to our budgets will tell you otherwise!
Finally, where's the accountability? I understand that Ms. Koontz is a very busy woman, as am I. However, I also know to take accountability for my actions when I screw up. She was notified multiple times that the material was overdue. She was sent a certified letter. She was visited by a law enforcement official. What would it have taken for her to have simply picked up the phone, called the library and said, "Hey, I'm really sorry about this late material, what can I do to make this right?" Like Mr. Dorman, the Gazette editor who called for libraries to use compassion, I am a big proponent of compassion. But, I am also a firm believer in accountability and this is one instance where my preference for accountability is certainly more desired. She most likely signed a contract when she signed up for a library card. This contract holds her legally responsible for the materials she checks out. It also holds her accountable when she doesn't return them. Her actions by withholding the book were irresponsible, and by not taking accountability, she was given the penalties within the ground of Iowa Law.
Libraries are not out to get anybody. We're not out to be the bad guys. We're not out to "make an example" as some people have said. We're here to serve our communities to the best of our ability, with the resources we have. But when people take advantage of our services, or are neglectful in their obligation to us, we have to take action.
*sigh* That's my two cents worth. Take it or leave it.
