Guy Jailed ... for Overdue Library Book

Well, it worked: The book has been returned
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 1, 2013 8:50 AM CDT
Guy Jailed ... for Overdue Library Book
   (Shutterstock)

A Texas man found himself booked into jail last week ... and all because of an overdue library book. According to court documents, Jory Enck checked out a GED study guide in 2010 and never responded to the library when it tried to get the book back from him. He was quickly released on bond, and an investigation by KWTX found that the deterrent apparently worked: Enck seems to have returned the study guide the day after he was arrested.

The Copperas Cove ordinance allowing such arrests was adopted four years ago, but Enck's arrest is putting it back in the headlines. Anyone who's had an overdue book checked out for at least 90 days and has not responded to the library's attempts to get it back could eventually be arrested on an "overdue library materials warrant." A municipal judge acknowledges it's controversial, but notes that when "people that go to our library and can't have these materials, they're put out too." He tells KRIS TV the library has spent "a tremendous amount of money" replacing books that were never returned. (More strange stuff stories.)

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