As someone who over her life has racked up a lot of fines (mostly in college, but in the public system too)--but who always brought the materials in, just not on time, my first thought was oh, no, I'd so be in that mug shot! And I was mostly amused despite that, yet cringing over the possible public relations implications. But when it comes down to it, the libraries are fighting the 'it's just a book, who cares?' attitude that people have with library materials, a disrespect aimed more at the libraries than for the material itself. If the man shoplifted a $30 DVD from a _store_, and then failed to appear at court, he'd be arrested, too. What makes this any different, really? Putting someone in collections gets the attention of some, but others just chuck the notices. Telling them the law is becoming involved is a different matter. In the cases where they went to court, I'm sure returning the book and paying the fine got things dismissed. It was his failure to appear after numerous attempts to contact him failed that landed him in jail--and that failed because he had not updated his contact information (something I think public libraries should require at least yearly). Now, I do think the library should inform patrons of the possibility, such as when they initially sign up for their card or through signage. In the case of medical libraries, many of our materials cost over $300, which in my jurisdiction would be a felony. I think residents and others who abscond would pay more attention if that were the case. In the era of background checks, that can be pretty important. Just my 2 cents' worth. Lisa ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elisabeth E. Rowan, MSLS, Medical Librarian Shriners Hospital for Children, 1900 Richmond Road Lexington, KY 40502-1238 USA Docline: KYUSSR vox 859.266.2101 x 1299 - fax 859.268.5636 - email [log in to unmask] 'Even in the darkness, every colour can be found... '--Penny, Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail communication and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information for the use of the designated recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, (or authorized to receive for the recipient) you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error and that any review, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of it or its contents is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments and contact the sender by reply e-mail or telephone (813) 281-0300.