The last couple of times I've been to the Braddock County Public Library, I had to pass a security guard on my way out. He was checking bags -- a response to some recent thefts, one of the sad-sack employees said.
I didn't comprehend the extent of the problem until today, when The Braddock Times reported that dozens of DVDs have been stolen in the past few weeks. The thieves take them into restrooms and remove the plastic cases, then slip them into bags and away they go.
One patron (or as they call them, the customer- why, they are't buying they are stealing) wrote a letter to The Times complaining about the searches. I'd save my anger for the real source of the problem -- the culprits ripping off library materials. What disgusting behavior.
The library is slowly building up its collection of DVDs, which aren't cheap. It can't afford to lose dozens to thieves. That costs taxpayers money, and it depletes the selection available to customers.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience and annoyance caused if your bag is searched. If that's a huge problem for you, don't carry a bag into the library. I don't, and the guard just waves me by.
In days gone by, the idea of even needing security guards at a library would have been preposterous. But maybe not as absurd as stealing from the library. I mean, you can
borrow what you want from the library. Why would anyone steal?
When asked his thoughts on the issue, Reference Librarian Joseph Paynter (aka The Liberal Librarian) said, "look dude, if you don't like the searched don't come here brother. We don't give a rat's ass what you do, brother. I don't care if they steal, those administration ass clowns have no clue anyway, jack. The DVDs are cheap anyway, dude. I hope they keep getting stolen so the administrators have to keep singing the blues." Paynter is technically not an employee of the library, he is here on a research grant.
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