Mar 26 2009
Dealing with Library Theft
We’ve been dealing with a rash of thefts lately at the library. I’ve discussed people stealing from our library before, but this is not your normal theft. The person (or people) involved are not stealing books, CD’s, DVD’s, or other standard library material. Instead, they are stealing toilet paper.
Yes, that roll of thin white paper that every toilet paper company in existence tries to convince you is nothing short of little pillows of goodness; a slice of heaven come to earth (and apparently taking up residence in your bathroom. You’d think if heaven was going to come to earth, it would come in form of chocolate or something equally amazing, but instead, it’s just rolls of thin paper. Me thinks that there is a bit of embellishment happening in the advertising world, but of course we all know that can’t possibly be what’s happening.)
Apparently, our janitorial staff has noticed a sudden and drastic increase in our toilet paper usage in our public bathrooms - so drastic that even the tubes in the middle of the rolls are gone. Oh, and yes, you read that right: Bathrooms. So either our thief has a partner in crime, or s/he is sneaking into the other bathroom when no one is looking.
Now mind you, our toilet paper dispensers all have the standard little locks on them to keep people from doing exactly this. But give a 7-year-old a pocketknife and about 10 seconds, and they’ll have that lock picked and the roll out of the holder. Not exactly a Mission Impossible level of difficulty here.
So what are we doing to combat the theft? Just what you might expect from a library: We’ve put a security strip inside of each roll. The thin metal strips that normally help keep our books and DVD’s from being stolen are now doing double duty and are keeping our toilet paper rolls from walking out the front door. We are under strict instructions that if we find a patron trying to steal a roll, we are to notify a manager and they are to call the police immediately.
All I have to say is: Really? TP? Couldn’t you find something better to steal? If you’re going to go to jail for stealing something, make it worth your while! At least pick up a DVD or two. I just can’t fathom having petty theft on my record because of toilet paper.
Is the economy really that bad? 
Havs
Wow, never heard of TP thieving from the library - maybe they are taking it and selling it to make a little money. Keep us posted if they find the thief. My little country library does not even monitor the books / CDs / DVDs etc. with electronic monitoring. Rural library in an old stone building - very much community supported and we have not had any problems with things walking out the door. Thanksf or sharing this interesting post.
oh, that could lead to some very funny - and embarassing - interactions!
Wouldn’t it be almost as embarrassing catching someone stealing TP as being caught stealing it?
I’ve decided that a theft of this magnitude can only be the efforts of one person, or 11 that is….that’s right… Ocean’s Eleven. Brad Pitt and George Clooney have been stealing our TP, and I won’t rest until I catch them! Somebody call Andy Garcia & Al Pacino!
Lol. Chris, you kill me. I tell you one thing that’s for sure: I will NOT be the one to call the cops over this. That’s what the Library Director is for!