Monday, January 26, 2009

Unreturned library book leads to woman's arrest

Unreturned library book leads to woman's arrest (copied below) was published online day before yesterday (January 24th), but I didn't get around to reading it until just now. I was surprised to learn the book she failed to return was the last book we read together (in September 2008): The Freedom Writers Diary. (Click on the title to read our discussion about the book, or click here to read what we said about the book on my Banned Books blog.)
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – An Iowa woman has been arrested because she failed to return a library book. Thirty-nine-year-old Shelly Koontz was arrested Thursday night on a fifth-degree theft charge. She is accused of keeping "The Freedom Writers Diary," which she checked out from the public library in nearby Jesup in April. Police say the book — which is about a high school teacher's effort to inspire students to write — is valued at $13.95. Court records show library employees tried repeatedly to contact Koontz by phone and mail. A police officer even visited her home last September. Officials at the Buchanan County jail say Koontz was released after posting $250 bond.
It appears to me this woman "borrowed" the book in order to take it out of circulation, which may be the REAL reason she was arrested. What do you think?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bloody hell! *frantically checks under bed for old library books*

Shirley said...

Whoa! That does sound a bit too agressive. It encourages me even more to pick up the pace on reading American Lightning which is due Wednesday.
It was good to receive the notification that there were postings on this board.
Hope this finds everyone doing well.

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Shirley, I think it's more about this woman having TAKEN the book, not to read it, but to remove it so NOBODY could read it. I think she chose to "BAN" the book all by herself.

My friend Donna took me to the emergency room on January 31st because I couldn't breathe. It turned out to be congestive heart failure, and I'll be having by-pass surgery on Thursday.

Tricia said...

Bonnie,
I've been reading and missing you. I'm so sorry to hear about your upcoming surgery. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how it goes.
Tricia

alisonwonderland said...

Bonnie: Like Tricia, I have you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope all goes well on Thursday!

Shirley said...

You will be in my thoughts and prayers as well, Bonnie.

Zorro said...

Glad you are doing so well and are back to reading! What books did you read?