THEFTS FROM LIBRARIES

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1938, Page 11

THEFTS FROM LIBRARIES

A REAL PROBLEM- r CHRISTCHURCH, September 7. The problem and the theft and i mutilation of books is dealt with by the librarian (Mr E. J. Belli 1 article in the latest issue of the Can- I terbury Public Library Journal i “That there are people ready to steal Is inconceivable, yet, almost every week books are reported missing. ’ he writes. Some times these books mysteriously appeal nn the shelves, and sometimes they ate never seen again. Recently a man who was detected putting a book into his pockety upon questioning, ..removed n«i fewer than six books from his coat pockets. A/ few years ago a woman was seen placing two books inside a closed umbrella. Upon being stopped at the tor this person was most ifidignant, but when requested to °P en her umbrella so that the two books dropped out sho spent a most un comfortable time. . Some time ago a book was stolen from the reference department, and it was returned by a Government official, whpse wife nad purchased it for one shilling at a sale of work in. aid of the Church Missionary Society. Library hooks are left, in trams, trains and buses, and they arc stolen from motor-cars. Sometimes they are returned hy finders, but more’ often they arh never seen again; .